# Aero Vodochody and Textron compete for Tunisian advanced trainer contract

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/03/aero-vodochody-and-textron-compete-for-tunisian-advanced-trainer-contract/
- Published: 2020-03-21T19:04:50+01:00
- Author: Darek Liam

As the Tunisian Air Force twelve Aero Vodochody L-59T Super Albatros advanced trainer
and light attack aircraft is approaching the end of its service life, Czech’s **
Aero Vodochody **and United States **Textron**, is competing for the contract to
replace them by the year 2024.

Czech’s Aero Vodochody delivered twelve L-59T Super Albatros aircrafts to the Tunisian
Air Force in 1995-1996, since then, they have been used extensively, often for close
air support and aerial patrol beside its original role as an advanced training aircraft.

The Aero L-59 Super Albatros is developed from the earlier L-39 Albatros, but has
been heavily upgraded with a strengthened fuselage, longer nose, an updated cockpit,
advanced avionics (including head-up display), and a more powerful engine. 

Thus, Aero Vodochody is now offering its new L39NG to Tunisia, for the reason that
the Ministry of Defense has showed interest in the aircraft since 2015.

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The Aero Vodochody L-39NG (**N**ext **G**eneration) is a turbofan-powered military
trainer aircraft, a successor of the Cold War era Aero L-39 Albatros. 

The L-39NG features several design improvements, advanced weaponry, and avionics.
The aircraft is already in service with the [Senegalese Air Force which ordered for four ](https://www.military.africa/2020/03/aero-vodochody-and-textron-compete-for-tunisian-advanced-trainer-contract/military.africa/2019/10/senegal-air-chief-test-fly-new-l-39ng-light-attack-aircraft-ahead-of-delivery)
production models in July 2018 for light attack and training duties.

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At the same time, Textron is offering its Scorpion attack and reconnaissance aircraft
which it developed in collaboration with AirLand Enterprises.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ETojwUkWkAE0kII.jpeg)

**Textron AirLand Scorpion**

The Scorpion is a tandem-seat aircraft constructed with an all-composite material
fuselage designed for light attack and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
missions.

The Scorpion was designed with a reduced production costs in mind. This was achieved
by using common commercial off the shelf technology.

So far, the Textron AirLand Scorpion has not secured any launch customer till date,
although, in November 2014, at the height of the Boko Haram insurgency, Nigerian
expressed interest in procuring up to a squadron, but the deal fell through as the
country [opted for the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano instead.](https://www.military.africa/2020/03/aero-vodochody-and-textron-compete-for-tunisian-advanced-trainer-contract/military.africa/2018/12/nigeria-air-force-12-embraer-a-29-super-tucano-light-attack-aircraft-deal-signed)

Tunisia is also preparing plans to **[procure four AT-6C Wolverine](https://www.military.africa/2020/03/aero-vodochody-and-textron-compete-for-tunisian-advanced-trainer-contract/military.africa/2020/03/tunisia-all-set-to-buy-four-at-6c-wolverine-light-attack-aircraft)**
light attack and trainer aircraft from the United States after its request for a
possible military sale was recently approved.

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