Czech Viper helicopters resume operations in Poland

The Czech Army has returned its AH-1Z Viper helicopters to operational readiness in Poland. This deployment follows a suspension of all H-1 platform helicopter operations after a fatal crash of an AH-1 Venom helicopter in the Czech Republic in July. The accident, which occurred during landing from a routine training flight, resulted in one fatality and four injuries.

The return to service follows the completion of extraordinary technical inspections, organizational measures, and crew retraining. Currently, the resumption of operations applies only to the helicopters stationed in Poland to assist in protecting the airspace of NATO's eastern flank. This deployment is part of a bilateral agreement established last September in response to security concerns regarding Russian unmanned aerial vehicles.

Helicopters based at the Náměšť nad Oslavou airbase in the Czech Republic are expected to return to service later this week. Military police are continuing to investigate the July crash under suspicion of public endangerment due to negligence.