Czech Republic Competing For Poland's L-159 Aircraft Tender

The Czech Republic is hoping to sell its L-159 aircraft to Poland, after the expected deal with Iraq apparently failed.

This Poland tender once finalized, can extend the cooperation in the economy, energy industry and defence between these countries.

"This project (the offer of L-159s) enjoys full support of the Czech government, we are prepared to provide even the planes that the military of the Czech Republic owns for training, along with the processing of respective training programmes," Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said.

Czech delegates including the defence, transport, agriculture and local development ministers, submitted an offer recently to Poland, he added.

The delegation also talked about other potential cooperation in the spheres of defence like possible offer of mobile anti-aircraft radar, Necas said.

According to reports, representatives of the Aero Vodochody aircraft producer and the Czech state have attempted negotiating the deal in the past but have been unsuccessfully.

In 2003, Aero almost signed a contract with India when the L-159s were shortlisted but New Delhi preferred the British Hawks eventually.

Last year, the Defence Ministry announced that Iraq was interested in purchasing the L-159 training combat planes for some 19.2 billion crowns. However, the contract has not been signed and is unlikely to go ahead.

The Czech government is thought to be willing to sell at least half of its L-159s.