The Czech Republic has announced its readiness to deliver combat aircraft to Ukraine in the near future for the interception of unmanned aerial vehicles, amid an acute shortage of air defence systems and an intensification of Russian air attacks. The announcement was made by Czech President Petr Pavel following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

According to Pavel, the plan involves several “medium combat aircraft” that are particularly effective in countering drones. While no specific model has been officially named, military experts and Czech media point to the Aero L-159, a Czech-made light combat aircraft previously operated by the Czech Air Force.

“The Czech Republic can, in a relatively short period of time, provide Ukraine with several combat aircraft that are especially effective against unmanned aerial vehicles”, Petr Pavel said.

President Zelenskyy, for his part, confirmed that Ukraine is facing a critical shortage of air defence missiles and systems, especially amid large-scale attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure. He noted that in some cases Ukrainian air defence units were left without ammunition until new deliveries from Western partners arrived.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has seen an increase in attacks involving kamikaze drones and missiles, resulting in damage to energy facilities and temporary power outages in several regions.

The use of light combat aircraft to counter drones is viewed as a more cost-effective solution compared to deploying expensive surface-to-air missiles. Such aircraft are capable of:

• patrolling airspace;
• destroying drones using onboard aviation weapons;
• reducing the burden on long- and medium-range air defence systems.

According to military analysts, this approach is also being discussed in other EU countries as a means of countering the mass use of low-cost drones.

The Czech announcement comes amid ongoing efforts by Western countries to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. The European Union and the United States continue discussions on additional deliveries of missiles and air defence systems, while acknowledging that production capacity does not always keep pace with battlefield demand.

At the same time, discussions are underway on the possible creation of a broader air protection framework for Ukraine involving European states, although concrete decisions remain subject to negotiation.

President Pavel’s visit to Kyiv served as another confirmation of Prague’s firm support for Ukraine, despite debates within the EU over the scale and forms of military assistance. His remarks were made against the backdrop of renewed discussions about possible political pathways toward resolving the conflict, which so far have found little resonance either on the battlefield or within Ukrainian society.

According to military experts, the transfer of aircraft designed to intercept drones could become an important element in Ukraine’s adaptation to a new phase of the war, in which unmanned systems play an increasingly significant role, particularly in strikes on critical infrastructure and rear areas.

#UKRAINE

#CZECHIA

17.01.2026 08:12