The State Department has approved a deal with the Czech Republic, worth up to $650 million, to provide eight refurbished Bell [TXT]-built AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on Wednesday of the new foreign military sale (FMS).
(Photo: Bell Helicopter Textron)
The approval follows the U.S. Embassy in Prague’s announcement last August on the planned transfer of six AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and two UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters under the Excess Defense Articles program (Defense Daily, Aug. 19 2022).
The embassy said at the time the Czech Republic will only pay for “modernization and transfer” of the helicopters, and cited the U.S.’ recognition of Prague’s ongoing efforts to deliver security aid to support Ukraine.
The final value of the new FMS case “will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded,” the DSCA noted in its statement on Wednesday.
Equipment for refurbishment of the AH-1Zs and UH-1Ys in the deal includes 22 General Electric [GE]-built T700-401C engines, 14 of Honeywell’s [HON] Embedded GPS inertial navigation systems, four M240 machine guns and 24 ARC-210 COMSEC radios.
The Czech Republic will also receive communications equipment, electronic warfare systems, spare engine containers, flight training devices and support equipment.
“The proposed sale will improve the Czech Republic’s ability to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the DSCA said in a statement.
The U.S. and Czech Republic signed a separate $650 million deal in December 2019 to sell the country eight UH-1Ys and four AH-1Zs, with all 12 helicopters expected to be completed in 2023 (Defense Daily, Dec. 12 2019).