Baghdad, Oct 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti): The Iraqi government has said that it intends to buy Czech-made advanced trainer/light-attack jets.

On Thursday, after holding talks with his Czech counterpart Petr Necas in Prague, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the Iraqi government intends to buy Czech-made Aero Vodochody L-159 advanced trainer/light-attack jets.

"Further talks about purchasing the L-159 will take place Friday between the Iraqi and Czech defence ministries," he said.

According to Defence Industry Daily, talks between Baghdad and Prague over one L-159 purchase have been underway for at least three years.

The Czech government hopes to sell Iraq up to 24 of the jets, which Defence Industry Daily says are used aircraft which were operated for a short time by the Czech Air Force.

Iraq used to operate the jet's predecessor -- the L-39 Albatros.

The L-159 can be armed with Sidewinder missiles, targeting pods and laser-guided air-to-surface weapons, and can operate from austere airstrips, the daily reported.