Navy Orders H-1 Helicopters for the Czech Republic

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kaden Monnett, a firepower control team leader with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, provides security for Marines fast-roping out of a UH-1Y Venom at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 5, 2020. U.S. Marine Corps / Lance Cpl. Ian M. Simmons

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has placed an order for two versions of the H-1 helicopter from Bell Textron for the Czech Republic, the Defense Department said in a Sept. 4 release.

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Bell Textron a $272 million fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for the production and delivery of eight UH-1Y Venom and four AH-1Z Viper helicopters for the government of the Czech Republic under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

The UH1-Y and AH-1Z both are front-line helicopters used by the Marine Corps. The production of 160 UH-1Ys for the Corps was completed in 2018, while production of 189 AH-1Zs continues. Pakistan also has received 12 AH-1Zs and Bahrain has been approved for 12 AH-1Zs.