Czech military to use police helicopters for air rescue

The Czech Ministry of Defence is facing challenges in maintaining the air rescue service due to a lack of sufficient technical equipment and funding. While previous plans suggested the military would only provide medical personnel, the government has decided that the military will continue to be part of the air rescue system and take on additional responsibilities, such as serving the Karlovy Vary region.

To address the shortage of functional aircraft, the military plans to utilize decommissioned equipment from the Czech Police. Specifically, the Air Force will acquire nine Eurocopter EC-135 helicopters that the police are phasing out following a five-billion-crown contract with Airbus Helicopters for new H145 models. This move aims to replace the aging W-3A Sokol helicopters, which are nearing the end of their service life and are considered uneconomical to modernize.