US State Department approves sale of AH-1Z Viper helicopters to Czech Republic

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Czech Republic of four AH-1Z attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $205 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Czech Republic has requested to buy four AH-1Z attack helicopters, eight T700-GE-701D engines (installed), eight Honeywell Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGI) and Precise Positioning Service (PPS) (installed), and fourteen AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. Also included is communication equipment, electronic warfare systems, M197 20mm machine guns, Target Sight System, support equipment, spare engine containers, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $205 million.

The Czech Republic is considering either the UH-60M or the UH-1Y/AH-1Z to replace its aging Mi-24 helicopters. The Czech Republic intends to use these helicopters to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its homeland defense. This will contribute to the Czech Republic’s military goal of updating its capabilities while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and NATO allies. The Czech Republic will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.