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The Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) announced plans on 9 April to acquire up to 16 new light, multi-purpose helicopters between 2016 and 2020.
The new helicopters will primarily replace the country's Mil Mi-24/35 'Hind' combat support helicopters and PZL W-3 Sokol MEDEVAC/SAR helicopters.
"We do not want to replace the Mi-24/35 fleet with comparable platforms as they are too expensive to operate and maintain,
instead we would prefer to use a smaller number of lighter, multi-role platforms",
said Lieutenant General Petr Pavel, Chief of General Staff of the ACR on 9 April.
The new light, multi-purpose helicopters will serve in the armed combat support; light troop transport and MEDEVAC/SAR roles according to Gen Pavel.
Pavel would not specify what specific platform is being sought by the ACR, but said that it would be in a class slightly smaller than the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.
Pavel added the ACR is currently evaluating approximately six manufacturers who offer a light helicopter in this class.
The ACR plans to retire its fleet of Russian Mil Mi-24/35 helicopters between 2016 and 2018,
when some of the aircraft reach the end of their operational service life while the remainder would require costly mid-life upgrades (MLUs).
"We do not plan to retain these aircraft in our inventory beyond this period because we simply will not have the resources to upgrade and maintain them", said Gen Pavel.
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