Czech Venoms to support Poland

The Czech detachment will originate from the 22nd Helicopter Air Base in Sedlec and will deploy to Poland as the 5th Helicopter Task Unit. The Venom crews have undergone counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) training and have received NATO certification. They will take over duties from their Czech predecessors operating Mil Mi-171ŠM helicopters, which have been guarding Polish skies in a similar role since September last year. That deployment followed the mass violation of Poland’s border by Russian Gerbera decoy drones.   

The Czech Republic has purchased a total of eight UH-1Y Venom helicopters, with a further two to be received free of charge from the United States under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme. The aircraft were acquired alongside attack helicopters from the same H-1 family, namely the Bell AH-1Z Viper (10 units).

Poland is expected to host four Venoms, equivalent to one flight, mirroring the earlier Mi-171 deployment.