Czech Republic sends fighter jets to help fight IS

Czech L-159 Alca fighter jets flying the Iraqi flag will help the country's army in the fight against IS.

Czech Republic L-159 Alca aircraft

This will be the first foreign operation in which these fighter jets will participate, according to information from the country's television.

A total of 15 fighter jets will be sent. Currently, the Czech Republic is preparing to send experts to help train native pilots.

The sending of a Czech air force to Iraq has been approved by the Senate and now needs to be ratified by the National Assembly.

It is likely that discussions on this topic will begin in May. The Czech side plans to provide training support for Iraqi pilots over a two-year period.

"The advisory group will work at the Balad air base, 80 km from Baghdad, with a staff of 35 people without aviation equipment and will not participate in combat operations," Czech Defense Minister Martin Stropnický said.

According to Sputniknews