On May 20, 2018, the Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) at Balad Air Base received a two-seat training aircraft the L-159T1 advanced light combat aircraft, the fuselage number IQAF-5902.

This is a two-seater delivered as a part of the contract for the L-159 system delivery between AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. and the Ministry of Defense of Iraq.

The aircraft handover ceremony was attended by the IQAF commander, Czech Ambassador to Iraq Jan Vycital, and representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Iraq.

More: Crews of Czech L-159 enhances tactical skills in air-to-air combat between aircraft and helicopters

The aircraft was delivered to the IQAF commander, after a symbolic check flight and a brief flight demonstration, by the commander of the 115th Squadron IQAF.

The L-159 configuration can be tailored to customer specific requirements and adapted to needs of basic training as well as combat missions including air-to-ground, patrol and reconnaissance missions.

More: AERO Vodochody, Israel Aerospace Industries sign partnership agreements

The Iraqi commander flew the newly delivered aircraft together with the factory pilot of Aero Vodochody.