Overview
- Speaking after a Jan. 19 cabinet meeting in Prague, Babis said the aircraft are not available and confirmed no sale or donation will proceed.
- Babis said the stance matches the previous government’s position and noted he has pledged not to provide arms or join the financial part of an EU loan to Ukraine.
- Pavel had told reporters in Kyiv that Ukraine proposed buying the jets and argued selling four of the 24 aircraft would be an acceptable risk.
- SPD leader Tomio Okamura said he opposes both transfer and sale and cited Defense Minister Jaromir Zuna’s opposition, pointing to air-defense needs and low residual value.
- Foreign Minister Petr Macinka criticized Pavel for discussing the matter without prior government consultation as reporting highlighted the L-159’s relevance for countering slow, low-flying drones.