Czech Armed Forces Ready to Transfer Four L-159 Combat Aircraft to Ukraine

The Czech Armed Forces have no objection to transferring four L-159 combat aircraft to Ukraine. Such a transfer would not threaten the country’s security, but the decision to transfer them is political.

This was reported by the publication iROZHLAS, citing a statement by the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Karel Řehka.

According to Karel Řehka, in its conclusions in October and December, the army recommended transferring the L-159 aircraft as a gift. The military’s position emphasized that although these aircraft are not superfluous, their transfer will not threaten the security of the Czech Republic.

The Chief of the General Staff stressed that the army does not make decisions on the transfer of any weapons to Ukraine — this is purely a political decision. According to him, the army only provides its professional opinion.

Even if the military recommends that certain property can be transferred, this does not mean that it is unnecessary, explained Karel Řehka. In such cases, the government must grant an exemption for the “unnecessary” property.

The possibility of transferring these aircraft was first announced on January 16 by Czech President Petr Pavel during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on January 16, 2026.

Shortly thereafter, the governing coalition rejected the decision on the possible sale of the aircraft. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said that the country’s defense minister had informed the Cabinet that the Czech Air Force “would need these aircraft.”

The Chief of the General Staff declined to comment to journalists on the politicians’ statements. According to him, the president has long been regularly interested in this issue and receives relevant information from the army. The military gradually prepared three positions, the last of which was in December 2025.

According to Řehka, the army prepared its first conclusion on the aircraft back in August 2025. It stated that the Air Force could transfer a maximum of four aircraft to Ukraine, while Ukraine requested a larger number. In October, partly due to the deterioration of the situation in Ukraine, an additional position was prepared.

“The Ukrainians began to ask very insistently, emphasizing that the situation had changed and they urgently needed these aircraft, and that even four aircraft would suit them,” said Karel Řehka.

In an additional recommendation in October, the military noted that the army was ready to transfer four aircraft as a gift and that, although they were not superfluous, their transfer would not threaten the security of the Czech Republic. In December, the army confirmed this position in a third document.

Although the army recommends transferring the aircraft as a gift, the military also considers other options, such as exchanging them for new technology or know-how.