Feature: Czech Air Force details its H-1 adoption and C-UAV capabilities

A Czech Air Force AH-1Z Viper at Namest Air Base, June 2026. (Janes/Sam Wise)

The Czech Air Force (CzAF) is the only European operator of the Bell H-1 family of helicopters. The procurement, signed in December 2019 for a contract value of CZK14.6 billion (USD272.2 million), covering 12 aircraft initially with further donations announced in 2022, replaces the service's now retired Mi-24 Hind fleet, and over the course of working up the new types has had to adapt them to new threats and challenges.

For former eastern bloc countries who have since joined NATO, US helicopters have been the main choice to replace ageing Soviet craft. The Sikorsky UH-60 emerged as a clear favourite. Janes World's Air Forces lists Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia as former or outgoing Mi-8 family operators that have replaced the type with UH-60s in their militaries (plus Albania, though not directly replacing Mi-8s), as well as various governmental or civilian agencies operating the type in the region. Poland is replacing its attack helicopter fleets with Boeing AH-64E Apaches. Other countries have supplemented or replaced their fleets with surplus US Army UH-1Hs, while Europe's Airbus Helicopters has seen success with the H145M and H225M (previously the EC225 Super Puma) in Hungary, Bulgaria, and elsewhere.