SyAAF L-39, Illustrative image, Source: luftwaffeas.blogspot.com
An Aero L-39 Albatros jet trainer took off from the Kuweires Military Aviation Institute in the northern Syrian governorate of Aleppo on September 4, marking the first time the country’s new air force has managed to operate a fixed-wing warplane.
The L-39 Albatros is a Czechoslovakian high-performance jet trainer with light-attack capabilities. The SyAAF has been using this type of warplanes in close air support and ground attack missions, since 2012.
The Syrian Arab Air Force (SyAAF) operated more than 60 L-39s. Many of these jets were lost to technical failures, or enemy fire in the course of the war. The lightly armed trainers were used by the former military to prepare new pilots as well as to provide Syrian troops with close air support across the country.
Right after the fall of the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad last December, the Israeli military launched Operation Arrow of Bashan with the aim of destroying Syria’s military capabilities. The country was hit by hundreds of airstrikes.
All air worthy warplanes of the SyAAF were destroyed. However, several L-39s which were in Kuweires survived. They were likely spared because they were in a poor technical condition.
The new air force was quickly able to operate many of the helicopters that survived the Israeli operation, relying mainly on Syrian pilots who defected early on in the war.
When it comes to the L-39s, the situation was more complex. The issue was, however, resolved with help of Azerbaijan, which, according to Syrian activists, dispatched a team of technicians to Kuweires to help the Syrians bring the jet trainers back to service. It is unclear yet if the first test flight observed on September 4 was piloted by the Syrians themselves or the Azerbaijani team.
It’s worth noting here that the Azerbaijani Air Force is very familiar with the L-39, as it operates some 14 warplanes of this type.
Azerbaijan, like Syria, is a close ally of Turkey. Baku grew closer to the new Islamist-led government in Damascus in recent months, exploring gas to the country and even helping launch talks with Israel.
It is very possible that the country’s involvement in restoring Syria’s L-39s was coordinated with Israel. If not, it is very likely that the warplanes will be targeted by the Israeli military very soon. Denying Syria access to any useful weapon, remains one of Israel’s top priorities.
The restoration of the L-39 is a major step forward for the new air force Syria is trying to build. However, it is highly unlikely that the country will be able to do anything more for years to come.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
so the evil becomes bigger day by day. turkey’s arms everywhere – syria – qatar – azerbaijan – pakistan – taliban – libya – sudan…
r day by day. turkey
all mostly ruled or oppressed by the zionist pirate war cartel
as arms everywhere – syria – qatar – azerbaijan – pakistan – taliban – libya – sudan…
so cia mi6 and mossad contractors work endlessly to keep these under israeli control
azerbaijan will join to nato , together with armenia soon.