Aero Vodochody delivers first three Skyfox aircraft to Hungarian Air Force

Czech aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody handed over the first three Aero L-39 Skyfox advanced jet trainers (AJTs) to the Hungarian Air Force on 30 May 2025.

A ceremony for the handover took place at Kecskemét Air Base in central Hunary and was attended by representatives from the Hungarian Defence Forces and Aero Vodochody.

The Skyfox handover is part of a contract signed on 17 April 2022 that covers Aero Vodochody delivering a total of 12 L-39 Skyfox aircraft: eight configured as AJTs and four as reconnaissance variants. The contract also includes the delivery of ground equipment, simulators and a training programme, under which Aero engineers and specialists will remain at Kecskemét Kecskemét Air Base to provide support during the induction of the aircraft into service.

To date, three Hungarian instructor pilots and 16 technicians have successfully completed training with Aero. The pilots have conducted nearly 100 training flights, including night flights and formation flights.

The L-39 Skyfox, otherwise known as the L-39NG, is a successor to Aero Vodochody’s L-39 Albatros that has been offered both as an upgrade to existing L-39s (L-39NG Stage 1) or as a new-build aircraft (L-39NG Stage 2 (Skyfox)).

The first L-39NG prototype conducted its maiden flight on 22 December 2018. The type, which has a wingspen of 9.37 m, is powered by a Williams FJ44-4M turbofan that develops a thrust of 16.89 kN and can reach a maximum true air speed of 900 km/h at 6,000 m.

The Hungarian Air Force’s four reconnaissance-variant Skyfoxes will be fitted with a Wescam MX-15E electro-optical sensor mounted beneath the fuselage.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the life of the Hungarian Defence Forces and, more specifically, in the development of the Hungarian Air Force,” Zsolt Kutnyánszky, Hungarian State Secretary for Force Development and Defence Policy, was quoted as saying in an Aero press release. “The arrival of the first L-39NG Skyfox jet training aircraft not only means a new level in our combat flying capabilities but also reflects the decisive, dynamic and purposeful military development programme that we have launched and continue to carry through with consistency. As part of this advancement, we have established a state-of-the-art simulation centre; this facility will be unique in Hungary and even in our region. The latest training system and the L-39NG Skyfox aircraft will be integrated into the NATO Flight Training Europe programme, thereby strengthening the Alliance as well.”

Viktor Sotona, president and chairman of the board at Aero Vodochody, added, “I am very pleased to be present during this important event, when the first three L-39 Skyfox aircraft become part of the Hungarian Air Force. Hungary is a respected member of NATO and places high demands on the capabilities of its armed forces, and in particular on the training of its fighter pilots. We are therefore very pleased that the L-39 Skyfox has been selected as the training platform for the next generation of Hungarian fighter pilots. Today’s handover marks the culmination of our joint efforts and, at the same time, opens a new chapter and a long-term partnership. We look forward to further co-operation with the Hungarian Defence Forces.”