World Militaries Are Still Buying This Combat Aircraft From the 1970s

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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

• The L-39 Albatros first entered service in 1972, and countries are still adding this aircraft to their military forces
• The Albatros is powered by a single Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine, which allows for a top speed around 400 mph
• This jet can equip a 23mm automatic cannon as well as a series of rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, laser-guided bombs, and Atoll air-to-air missiles
• Also: Dividend legends to hold forever

For decades now there has been an ongoing technological arms race among developed nations to push the limits of what combat aircraft can do. Currently, there are only a handful of aircraft in the fifth generation of fighter jets and the investment in these jets is significant. However, older aircraft still hold value in world militaries with proven engineering and combat records. For instance, the Aero L-39 Albatros, a jet trainer developed in the 1960s, remains in service in various militaries and countries are still buying this aircraft. (This is every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force. )

The L-39 Albatros first entered service in 1972 and quickly gained a reputation among pilots as a reliable, yet versatile light fighter aircraft. Although the L-39 has been greatly outpaced by modern aircraft, it still holds a place with militaries around the world for training in combat missions.

It was originally developed by Aero Vodochody, a Czechoslovakian company. It is powered by a single Ivchenko AI-25TL turbofan engine, which allows for a top speed around 400 mph.

The Albatros is also capable of equipping a 23mm automatic cannon as well as a series of rocket pods, conventional drop bombs, laser-guided bombs, and Atoll air-to-air missiles.

Today, the Aero L-39 Albatros continues to be used by many air forces around the world, both as a trainer and in light combat roles. At the same time, it has found a second life in civilian aviation, particularly in the United States. (This is the most mass-produced American carrier-borne plane in World War II. )

24/7 Wall St. is taking a look at combat aircraft being ordered by world militaries. To identify the oldest combat aircraft that world militaries are still buying, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 2024 World Air Forces report from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry publication. We ordered these aircraft chronologically. We also included supplemental data on the type of aircraft, how many of these aircraft are in active service, and what militaries employ these aircraft.

Here is a look at the oldest combat aircraft on order by the world's militaries: Why Are We Covering This?

Understanding the combat aircraft used by the militaries around the world provides insight into joint military capabilities and defense strategies. Also knowing what other countries have in their arsenals further explain relative military capabilities.

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