The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWS) to the Czech Republic.
A total of 200 AGM-114R Hellfires, 4 Hellfire captive air training missiles, and 600 WGU-59A/B APKWS II were requested by Prague for an estimated $138.3 million.
This also includes support equipment, dummy cartridge rounds, training, and technical support.
The weapons will be integrated with the new fleet of 10 AH-1Z Viper helicopters being purchased from the US, four in 2019 and six in 2023.
The Weapons
The semi-active laser guided AGM-114R missile features a multi-purpose warhead to neutralize a broad range of targets, including armor, air defenses, patrol boats, as well as enemy combatants in buildings, open areas, SUVs, and caves.
According to manufacturer Lockheed Martin, the precision strike missile can take out a target from a range of eight kilometers (five miles) and an altitude of 3,000 feet (914 meters).
Meanwhile, the air-to-ground APKWS is based on the unguided Hydra 2.75-inch rocket integrated with a laser guidance kit.
It can be installed on both rotary and fixed-winged aircraft, offering a precision strike range between 4 and 12 kilometers (3 to 7.4 miles).
To Deter Regional Threats
The proposed sale is intended to bolster the Czech Republic’s homeland defense and deter regional threats, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
“This will contribute to its military goals of updating capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies,” the Pentagon agency added.
The principal contractors are Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems for the Hellfire and APKWS, respectively.
