The 159 is good, but Hawk is a whole lot more. Don’t be too impressed by words like ‘Advanced’ (in ALCA). The Yak 130 is more equal to Hawk, but has 2 engines to make it so ! Alphajet was Hawk’s contemporary, and a good aircraft, but sold only half the Hawk numbers, and also uses 2 engines. The L159 is not really comparable to Hawk, in my view.
So, why Indians and South Africa air force have evaluated L-159B as the better and more suitable trainer than Hawk? Just they didn´t buy L-159B – the stories about that time Boeing´s “management” in Aero and ist “support” to L-159 sell are already legend here. Czech government and people in Aero have recognized very soon that Boeing only bought Aero to devastate and ruin a competitor on jet trainers market, that is why Boeing was made by government to leave Aero for one Czech krown. There are banned L159 selling by US officials causes as well, because there are US parts and equipment in L159.
Now under new owner Penta (it buy Aero at the and of the 2006) Aero is prospering company and time of serious effort to sell L-159 (not Boeing style “effort”) is still short to talk about “no L-159 was sold”, anyway 72 peices was sold to Czech Air Force, 6 will be for Bolivia and further will come… Anyway Saab has signed a joint working agreement with Aero establishing a mutual cooperation concerning marketing and sales of the L-159 Combat and Training System in May 2008. The agreement was also to identify manufacturing work packages between Saab and Aero. Both companies will also provide logistic assistance for Gripen and L159´s combat and training system.
BTW, how is L159 is good? Just L159B advanced trainer in version with radar has same capability as L159A, but a little bit better equipment, and several Czech pilots with L159A of 212. tactical squadron has shot down some F-16s, F-18s, Mirage 2000s, Gripens and Tornados during Nato training missions and exercises like Tactical Leadership Program, Brilliant Arrow, Clean Hunter etc…
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