Airplane maker leads Czech arms industry revival

Reuters ^ | July 26, 2017 | Michael Kahn and Robert Muller

[sukhoi-30mki]

PRAGUE (Reuters) - During the last days of the Cold War in 1988, Czechoslovakia's Aero Vodochody's factory outside Prague produced a record 250 of its Albatros L-39 training jets for Soviet bloc air forces.

Those customers disappeared with the collapse of Communism as successive governments focused on building a market economy and steered away from arms exports, sending the industry into a tailspin. Numerous comeback attempts sputtered for Aero, which halted jet production between 2003 and 2015.

Now a growing number of conflicts around the world is helping to fuel demand for arms, providing Czech firms an opportunity to sell to customers looking for a supplier from a country that does not usually impose political strings.

This combined with the political support at home that is essential for doing deals with foreign militaries, the industry is experiencing a revival as Aero and other companies ramp up production and target new customers, particularly in emerging markets.

"The influence of big countries in emerging markets is changing," said Aero Chief Executive Giuseppe Giordo told Reuters. "It gives us the opportunity to compete in more international markets."

"If countries make a deal with Czech Republic they are making a deal with a neutral country," said the former chief of the aeronautical unit of Italy's Leonardo, one of the market leaders a revamped Aero is targeting in its come back.

Boeing bought a stake in Aero in the 1990s but sold it back to the government after failing to land new contracts. Czech-Slovak private equity group Penta bought Aero in 2006.

Giordo, who took the helm at Aero in 2016, has overseen the relaunch of the L-159 and is pushing plans for the next generation L-39 trainer. It aims to produce up to 26 aircraft annually over the next 10 to 15 years.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

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[husky ed]

A story on a company that builds jets and not one picture of the jet in question.
I'll take Journalism Today for a $1000..Alex

Ed

[fella]

Here ya go . . . L-39

[fella]

And a L-159

[Deplorable American1776]

The Czechs make great arms....

[Jack Black]

The CZ-97b is one big mother of a .45, with a great reputation of accuracy and durability.

Note: aftermarket grips.