Update: Czech Republic cleared to procure AH-1Z or UH-60M helos to replace Mi-24s

The US State Department has approved the sale of four Bell AH-1Z Viper or 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility and assault helicopters to the Czech Republic, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 3 May.

The AH-1Z is being offered to the Czech Republic as part of a wider Mi-24-replacement package that includes the UH-1Y. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)

The proposed sale of the AH-1Z or UH-60M would be in support of efforts by the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic (Vzdušné síly Armády České Republiky – VzS AČR) to replace its Warsaw Pact-era Mil Mi-24 ‘Hind’ assault helicopters. The AH-1Z procurement would include a complementary buy of Bell UH-1Y Venom attack helicopters.

Valued at USD205 million, the AH-1Z deal includes weapons, training, spares, and support, while the UH-60M deal would be worth USD800 million and would also include the same.

Specific items listed in the proposed AH-1Z sale include 14 Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and the standard under-nose mounted M197 20 mm Gatling guns, while the UH-60M deal includes BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) guided rockets, M240H 7.62 mm machine guns, M134D 7.62 mm Miniguns, GP-19 12.7 mm machine gun pods, GAU-19B 12.7 mm Gatling guns, and M261 70 mm rocket launchers.

The UH-60M proposal for the Czech Republic will likely comprise the Armed Black Hawk that was revealed by Lockheed Martin at the 2016 Farnborough Airshow. (IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings)

Both potential deals must be approved by Congress before either can be finalised.