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Namest nad Oslavou, South Moravia, April 9 -
The Defence Ministry will place the order for the supply for 12 new multipurpose helicopters without a public tender,
and it will address three bidders at least,
Minister Karla Slechtova (ANO) said on a visit to the Namest nad Oslavou air base on Monday.
The new helicopters are to replace the old Mi-24 combat helicopters.
The previous Czech government (2014-17) addressed the U.S. and the Italian governments.
The USA offered the UH-1Y helicopters from the Bell company,
the Italians offered AgustaWestland AW139Ms from the Leonardo company.
Slechtova on Monday repeated that neither of the bids complied with the Czech needs.
The ministry and the military management disputed
over whether soldiers had set realistic criteria for the helicopters to be bought.
Chief-of-Staff Josef Becvar repeatedly dismissed the accusation
that the military demanded "science fiction" that the market even does not offer.
Later he admitted that some criteria should be reassessed.
The new helicopters are to secure the transfer of soldiers,
direct support for the ground forces and reconnaissance,
medical transfers and tasks for the integrated rescue system.
The ministry wants to buy the helicopters including the equipment,
weapons and ammunition.
The contract is to include logistic and service support for the helicopters
for their whole lifespan and the training of the personnel.
https://uk.reuters.com/article/czech-ar ... KL8N1RM3CI
PRAGUE, April 9 - The Czech Republic will issue a tender for 12 army helicopters in the summer,
Defence Minister Karla Slechtova said on Monday.
Bell Helicopter, a unit of Textron,
and Italy’s Leonardo had submitted offers last year for the sale of the helicopters,
but Slechtova scrapped the tender after taking office in December.
“We won’t go to a single company... We will address three bidders at least.
We will complete the documentation and launch the tender in the summer,”
Slechtova said on Twitter.