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Czech Republic to buy UH-1Y helicopters

By Richard Tomkins
The UH-1Y utility helicopter sought by the Czech military. Photo courtesy of Bell Helicopter
The UH-1Y utility helicopter sought by the Czech military. Photo courtesy of Bell Helicopter

Oct. 23 (UPI) -- A proposed sale of UH-1Y helicopters to the Czech Republic through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program has won State Department approval.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which manages the FMS program, said in its notification to Congress the deal for 12 helicopters carries a value of $575 million.

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Included in the proposed package would be 25 T-700 GE 401C engines, 13 Honeywell Embedded GPS/INS systems and 12 7.62mm M240 Machine Guns.

The Brite Star II FLIR system, aircraft survivability equipment, the AN/AAR-47 missile warning and laser detection system, AN/ALE-47 counter-measure dispensing systems, joint mission planning systems are among other items the Czech Republic has requested.

"The proposed sale will support the Czech Republic's needs for its own self-defense and support NATO defense goals," DSCA said in a press release

"The Czech Republic intends to use these helicopters to modernize its armed forces and strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats."

The principal contractors for the sale would be Bell Helicopter, Textron and General Electric Company.

"Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips by U.S. government and contractor representatives to participate in program and technical reviews plus training and maintenance support in country, on a temporary basis, for a period of 24 months," the agency said.

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