According to the ministry, the official presentation of the new attack helicopters is planned for August 17.
The United States will deliver an additional two AH-1Z Viper and the first two UH-1Y Venom helicopters to the Czech Republic by mid-September this year, the Czech Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
In 2019, the Czech Republic signed an agreement with the government of the United States for eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters. Additionally, Washington has proposed delivering another eight helicopters (two UH-1Y and six AH-1Z) from the stocks of the United States Marine Corps. This is in compensation for the military support that Prague provided to Ukraine.
Nové vrtulníky v Česku! Na náhradu sovětských strojů jsme čekali spoustu let a dnes to přišlo. První dva Vipery právě dorazily do Náměště. Spolu s Venomy se naše vrtulníkové letectvo dostane do 21. století. #VimeCoChceme pic.twitter.com/87Hs9MjFZZ
— Armáda ČR (@ArmadaCR) July 26, 2023
It is worth noting that along with the helicopters, the Czech Republic has contracted a large package of weapon systems (AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank guided missiles, APKWS) and simulators.
The Czech Republic is the first export user of Bell H-1Y/Z helicopters among NATO countries. It cannot be ruled out that Slovakia may follow a similar path, as its authorities have issued an official request for proposals regarding the possibility of purchasing twelve (used) AH-1Z Viper helicopters.