Slovak Air Force to receive AH-1Z Vipers

The US State Department has given the green light for the delivery of twelve Bell Textron AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to the Veliteľstvo Vzdušnych Síl (Slovak Air Force).

Apart from the helicopter itself the sale consists also of (spare) engines, weapons, navigation systems, support and test equipment and anything else that enables the helicopter's full operational usage. The deal is estimated to be worth 600 million dollars. The sale will improve Slovakia's ability to meet current and future threats.

The approval for the helicopter deal is said to be part of a deal in which Slovakia transferred its entire MiG-29 Fulcrum fleet and SA-6 Gainful air defence system to Ukraine.

Slovakia is the fourth foreign customer for the AH-1Z Viper. The other users are Bahrain, the Czech Republic and Nigeria whilst the Philippines are an approved future user. Delivery of Pakistan's twelve Vipers is suspended with the choppers being stored at AMARG for the time being.

Picture: Bell Textron