Last of 12 new US army helicopters arrive in Czechia to replace Russian fleet

The final two of 12 new US military helicopters, intended to replace Czechia's old Russian Mi-24V/35 models, have arrived in Czechia. A cargo plane carrying the two UH-1Y Venom helicopters landed at Pardubice Airport early on Thursday morning, from where they will fly to the 22nd Helicopter Air Force base in Náměšť nad Oslavou after completing machines and customs clearance.

Czechia bought the eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters from the US company Bell in November 2019 for CZK 14.6 billion without VAT. The purchase agreement was approved and signed by former Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar.

The country received the four Vipers and two of the Venoms last year. Two more helicopters arrived in January this year and a further two in March.