A Bell employee works on a Czech Republic UH-1Y at the Amarillo Assembly Centre. Credit: Bell Textron.

Bell Textron has commenced the manufacture of the first AH-1Z Viper twin-engine attack helicopter for the Czech Republic Air Force.

The aircraft is being built at the company’s assembly centre in Amarillo, Texas, US.

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The development follows after Bell Textron started production of the UH-1Y Venom helicopters for the country in July last year, marking the first production for an international operator of the UH-1Y.

Purchase of the military helicopters is being executed as part of the first foreign military sale (FMS) of a mixed H-1 fleet.

The Czech Republic is acquiring four AH-1Z and eight UH-1Y military helicopters.

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Bell H-1 programme director and vice-president Mike Deslatte said: “Bell understands what it means to execute a successful international programme.

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“We understand the importance of providing the unmatched capability of the H-1 aircraft to our customers. Bell remains focused on producing exceptional combat aircraft and providing modern capabilities for the Czech Air Force as a partner in the H-1 programme, along with the US Government.”

In addition, Bell will also develop a flight training device for the Czech Republic.

Delivery of the first H-1 aircraft to the Czech Republic will start next year and be completed by 2024.

The H-1 programme aims to produce 217 AH-1Zs and 168 UH-1Ys, with more than 100 consecutive H-1s delivered on time for the US Marines Corps (USMC) and FMS clients.

The firm is also involved in the production of AH-1Zs for the US Marines Corps (USMC) and Bahrain Air Force.

Both AH-1Z and UH-1Y share an 85% commonality between parts and feature full mission capabilities.