Czech Army signs 1.2 bn crown contract to modernize Russian helicopters

The state company LOM Praha is to modernize 15 military transport helicopters of the Mil Mi-171 type, according to a Ministry of Defence contract for 1.2 billion crowns, signed on Tuesday.  A ministry spokesman said the Soviet prototype helicopters, now made by Russia, should serve then the Czech Army for another 15 years.

Last year, the Ministry of Defence also approved the purchase of 12 military helicopters from Bell rather than a cheaper option due to the US company’s offer of greater cooperation with Czech firms, in particular LOM Praha, which fixes and maintains Soviet-era and Russian helicopters.