Czech Republic Eyes Helicopter, Transport Aircraft Purchase

Czech Ministry of Defense is looking forward to purchase 12 multipurpose helicopters and two medium size transport aircraft to replace Soviet era Mi-24s and Mi-35s and Yakovlev Yak-40s for the air force.

Czech MoD plans to procure the aircraft from fellow NATO members and has already invited bids for the same. The acquisition will be used to replace outdated Soviet-designed Mi-24s and Mi-35s, Forecast International reported Wednesday.

These two attack helicopter types are slated for retirement in 2016 and 2018, respectively, and their replacements will be used for a variety of mission-types, including armed combat support, light troop transport, medevac and search-and-rescue, the news daily reported.

The Czech Republic hopes to procure these newer models and bring them into service within the 2016-2020 timeframe. On the transport aircraft front, the MoD is eying a two-unit buy of medium airlifters that would come into service by 2025. These will replace the Czech Air Force's two aging Yakovlev Yak-40s.

The Czech military procurement strategy is aimed at weaning the Czech military off of Russian-designed and supplied hardware and replacing this materiel with NATO-standard equipment.