Slovakia One Step Closer To Becoming Europe’s Second Operator of Bell AH-1Z Attack Helicopters
Recently, the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency [DSCA] announced that the US State Department has decided to approve a Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Slovakia for Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and related equipment with an estimated value of $600 million. According to the agency, the required certification and related documents announcing the potential sale were delivered to the US Congress on 31 July 2024.
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According to the DSCA, “The proposed sale will improve Slovakia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the Slovak Air Force with aircraft to meet its national defence needs. Slovakia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.” The agency also stated that the proposed sale would not change the basic military balance in the region.
Bell Textron, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and General Electric Company of Lynn, Massachusetts, will be the prime contractors for the deal. The successful realisation of this potential sale would require an undetermined number of US Government and contractor officials to make multiple trips to Slovakia over approximately two years. The key responsibilities of these individuals will be the processing/fielding of equipment, system control, training, and the provision of necessary technical and logistical support.
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The State Department’s approval of the arms sale indicates that the sale is not a concern for the US administration. If the US Congress does not object to the department’s decision within 30 days, the administration will begin negotiating the details of the sales package with the slovak government and procurement will begin.
If the US Congress does not oppose the sale, Slovakia will become the second European operator of the Bell AH-1Z after the Czech Republic. These helicopters’ arrival will increase the country’s military capabilities with Slovakia’s existing UH-60 Black Hawks and further deepen security cooperation between the US and its NATO ally. The Bell AH-1Zs will also help fill the gap created by the Mi-17 and Mi-2 helicopters Slovakia donated to Ukraine.