Aero Vodochody is making a late bid to break into the competition to supply an advanced jet trainer for the Indian air force. The Czech company exhibited the L-59 trainer at Bangalore in the belief that the evaluation could be re-opened. To date, only the British Aerospace Hawk, Dassault/ Dornier Alpha Jet and the VPKMAPO MiG-AT have been in the running. Low cost and ease of manufacture could make the L-59 attractive to India, says Aero Vodochody. Meanwhile, German defence minister Volker Rühe is reported to have offered a deal involving India taking over 30 German air force Alpha Jets now idle.
Source: Flight International
