The United States has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Czech Republic, including 200 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 600 WGU-59A/B mid-body guidance units for the AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) II, and related logistics and program support elements.
The total estimated cost for this sale is $138.26 million.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification to Congress, notifying them of this potential sale. The Czech Republic requested the purchase to bolster its defense capabilities. The Hellfire and APKWS missiles will be carried by the Czech Republic’s AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters, significantly enhancing their operational effectiveness.
The Czech Republic’s request includes 200 AGM-114R Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missiles; 4 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); 600 WGU-59A/B APKWS II guidance units; support equipment, dummy cartridge rounds, containers, training materials, inert components, publications, repair of repairables, and training and technical support.
The DSCA stated, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
The sale is expected to improve the Czech Republic’s ability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. This acquisition will contribute to the Czech military’s goal of updating its capabilities while enhancing interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces.
The DSCA noted, “The Czech Republic will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”