Armenia revealed to be previously undisclosed L-39 Skyfox customer
The Armenian MoD posted a series of images on 20 October 2026 showing the country's defence minister, Suren Papikyan, visiting the Czech manufacturer's facility near Prague. One showed a finished aircraft in Armenian Air Force markings. (Armenian MoD)
Armenia has been revealed to be a previously undisclosed customer of the Aero Vodochody L-39 Skyfox advanced trainer and light combat aircraft.
The Armenian Ministry of Defence (MoD) posted a series of images on 20 October 2026 showing the country's defence minister, Suren Papikyan, visiting the Czech manufacturer's facility near Prague, including one showing a finished aircraft in Armenian Air Force (Hayastani Razmaodayin Uzher: HRU) markings.
No further details on aircraft numbers or delivery dates were disclosed.
As noted by Janes World Air Forces , the HRU currently fields a small number of aircraft fleets comprising mainly Soviet Union-era types. For its advanced trainer and light combat roles, it utilises six Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros aircraft that are somewhat newer, having been received in 2004. These are operated by the 121st Attack Aviation Squadron at Shirak/Shirak International Airport (the unit also fields Sukhoi Su-25 ‘Frogfoot' ground attack aircraft).
Compared with the baseline L-39, the latest-variant L-39 Skyfox features a more powerful Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan engine, a wet wing, a modern cockpit, and a lighter airframe than its predecessor. It is equipped with five hardpoints (compared with two for the baseline L-39) to carry a range of payloads and has the option for a gun pod. According to Janes All the World's Aircraft: Development & Production
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