The L-39, built by the Czech aerospace company Aero Vodochody, was selected as the standard jet trainer in 1972 for the Soviet Union and most other Warsaw Pact countries. Designed as a single engine, tandem two seat subsonic trainer, the L-39 made its first flight on November 4, 1968. The aircraft's primary mission was basic and advanced training, with external armament stores that would enable it to provide operational training in ground attack roles. Almost 3,000 L-39's were built, and the Albatross has been exported to 16 countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bulgaria, Cuba, Egypt, Iraq, India, and Vietnam. Reliability of the L-39 is said to be very high at 99.6%, and the proven airframe service life is 6,000 hours. The Albatross was flown by different aerobatic teams, among them the Russian Knights, their equivalent of the American Thunderbirds.

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