The Lithuanian government, through its Ministry of Defense, recently confirmed the transfer of a disassembled L-39ZA Albatros advanced training aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force. The news comes amid increasing Ukrainian requirements to sustain the war effort against the Russian Federation. These news are noteworthy, as the advanced trainer, predominant in this segment in the former Soviet republics and allies, has not had an active role in the conflict.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the disassembled aircraft sent is one of the few in the inventory of the Baltic country’s Air Force. The defense ministry stated, “The L-39ZA Albatros aircraft were used in the Lithuanian army to train combat control officers, to ensure combat training for pilots in difficult weather conditions, day and night.“
Furthermore, this shipment of a disassembled aircraft is part of the various packages of military assistance that Lithuania has provided to Ukraine. Among some of the items sent to the country are 155mm artillery ammunition, armored combat vehicles such as the M577 command post vehicle, counter-drone systems, and Carl-Gustaf anti-tank guns, totaling nearly one billion euros.
Regarding the Lithuanian L-39ZA sent to Ukraine, it is not clear what its specific purpose will be. Since the conflict began, the Albatros aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force have not had a prominent presence in the Theater of Operations. The widespread use of various types of Russian air defense systems makes their use in attack operations unfeasible, presumably relegating them to their primary function: training and educating new Ukrainian pilots, as well as serving as a spare parts bank for the rest of the L-39 fleet still in operation.
*Photograph credits: Mike Freer
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