Czechia Sends Ukraine 10 Training Aircraft to Build New Generation of Combat Pilots

Ukraine has received 10 ALTO NG training aircraft to strengthen its domestic flight training base for future military pilots, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported on June 25.

The aircraft were delivered with support from the Czech government and Czech citizens through the Dárek pro Putina fund.

According to the ministry, the ALTO NG planes will allow Ukrainian cadets to practice basic and advanced piloting, navigation, takeoff procedures, and landing approaches in line with NATO standards.

Training on light aircraft also reduces the cost of each flight hour compared with using combat aircraft. It is expected to help cadets move faster toward training on Western-made aircraft.

“Thank you to the Air Force Capability Coalition, the government and citizens of Czechia for helping train a new generation of sky defenders,” Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said.

The ALTO NG is a Czech two-seat light aircraft used for pilot training. It is powered by a 100-horsepower engine and consumes around 15 to 19 liters of fuel per hour.

Ukraine will use the fleet of 10 ALTO NG aircraft to train military pilots in core flying skills and NATO procedures before they transition to more advanced aircraft, including Western fighter jets.

Earlier, a Czech volunteer group, Darek pro Putina (“Gift for Putin”), delivered a Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter to Ukraine, funded entirely through public donations.

The organization announced the delivery on X, sharing photos of the helicopter in Ukraine and expressing gratitude to over 20,000 contributors who helped raise the funds.

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