Contract for Czech Air Force Bell UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper
On 4 September 2020, Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth (TX) was awarded a USD 272 million fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for the production and delivery of eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters for the government of the Czech Republic. All work will be performed in Fort Worth (TX) and Amarillo (TX) and is expected to be completed in November 2023. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of USD 272 million will be obligated at time of award.
In August 2019, Bell helicopters announced that Czechia was the first foreign military that acquired a mixed fleet of Bell UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopters! The contract awarded to Bell does not include armament, ammunition, spare parts and training of pilots and service personnel. Czechia earlier announced the total contract is valued at USD 630 million, which include the aforementioned items.
In May 2019, the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Czech Republic - and - four Bell Helicopter AH-1Z Vipers/UH-1Y Venoms or twelve Sikorsky Aircraft Company UH-60M Black Hawks and related equipment. The Czech Republic was considering either the UH-60M or the AH-1Z to replace its Mi-24 helicopters. This was
Since 1978, the former Czechoslovak Air Force and the current Czech Air Force operated the Mi-24. Through the years 28 Mi-24Ds, two Mi-24DU, and 31 Mi-24Vs were received. When Czechoslovakia ceased to exist, seventeen Mi-24Ds, one Mi-24DU and nineteen Mi-24Vs were absorbed in the new Czech Air Force. Eight Mi-24Ds, one Mi-24DU and ten Mi-24Vs went to the Slovak Air Force. From the mid 2000s, Czechia received seven new Mi-24V and ten Mi-35 attack helicopters. The last one was delivered in January 2006. By the late 2000s all the original Mi-24s had been retired from service.
Artist impression: Czech MoD