| Czech Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Vzdušné síly | |
 Emblem of the Czech Air Force | |
| Founded | 1 January 1993 (32 years, 10 months) |
| Country |  Czech Republic |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 102 all aircraft> |
| Part of | Czech Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Prague |
| Mottos | Czech:Vzduch je naše moře "The air is our sea" |
| Commanders | |
| Air Force Commander | Major General Petr Čepelka[1][2] |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |   |
| Flag |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | L-159A ALCA |
| Fighter | JAS 39 Gripen |
| Helicopter | Mi-17,W-3A,UH-1Y Venom,AH-1Z Viper |
| Reconnaissance | L-410FG |
| Trainer | L-159T1/T2 |
| Transport | C-295M,A319CJ,L-410UVP |
TheCzech Air Force (Czech:Vzdušné síly)[Note 1] is theair force branch of theArmy of the Czech Republic. Along with theLand Forces, the Air Force is the major Czech military force. With traditions of military aviation dating back to 1918, the Czech Air Force, together with theSlovak Air Force, succeeded theCzechoslovak Air Force in 1993.[3][4] On 1 July 1997, the 3rd Tactical Aviation Corps and the 4thAir Defence Corps of the Czech Army were merged to form an independent Air ForceHeadquarters.
The air force is responsible for securing the integrity of the Czech airspace through theNATO Integrated Air Defence System (NIADS),close air support to the Land Forces and for transportation tasks including government and state priority flights. In peacetime the air force contributes to tasks originating in theCzech laws and inter-ministerial agreements, for example to theair ambulance service or theSAR role.[5]
CzechJAS 39C/D Gripenmultirole fighters fulfill primarily the tasks related to theair defence of the Czech Republic and the NATO within the system of NATINAMDS. In the so-called national reinforcement system the subsonicL-159 ALCA jets could be deployed to fulfil this task too.[6] Theradar surveillance of theairspace of the Czech Republic is the responsibility of the 26th AirCommand, Control andSurveillanceRegiment atStará Boleslav. Altogether seven radio-technicalcompanies are spread around the country so that they can continuously cover its whole territory.[7]
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The separation saw a large reduction in types, numbers, and bases. In 1994, the 3rd Corps of Tactical Aviation was created. The newest fighter in theCzechoslovak Air Force arsenal was theMiG-29 (Izdelie 9.12). As there was only one general maintenance kit, which was given to newly createdSlovak Republic, and all the material was split 1:1 with Slovakia, maintenance costs for the Czech Fulcrums would be too high. Along with the unreasonably high costs, speculative costs for spare parts imported from Russia, which were realised through third-party companies (Mil Mi-24 rotor blades acquisitions were over-priced by 400%),[citation needed] this led to the exchange of 10 MiG-29s with Poland forPZL W-3A Sokół rescue helicopters with avionics and ground support. Therefore, 10 air superiority fighters were exchanged for 11 light helicopters and this acquisition became a strongly discussed affair during the mid-1990s.[8] The burden of readiness squadron passed to theMiG-23s.
The new-era Air Force of the Czech Army was effectively formed on 1 July 1997 when the 3rd Corps of Tactical Aviation and the 4th Air Defence Corps were united. The members of both units have taken part inAlliance actions since the Czech Republic entered NATO on 12 March 1999.[5] The Air Force began to revise and update its doctrines and aircraft and the acquisition of a new, western fighter was considered. MiG-23MFs were retired in 1994, MLs in 1998 andMiG-21s were reestablished as an interim type for what was supposed to be a transition period before buying a new fighter – which was determined to be the SwedishJAS 39 Gripen multi-role fighter aircraft. Because of the devastating floods that hit the country during 2002, the deal was deferred.[9]
A new international tender was issued for an interim solution. Gripen again won this tender among six different bidders as the Czech Republic accepted a government-to-government 10-year lease fromSweden that did not involveBAE Systems. Media allegations of BAE Systems kickbacks to decision makers during the original sales effort have led nowhere in judicial inquiries.[10]
In 2006Kateřina Hlavsová, became the first female jet aircraft pilot in modern Czech history and as of 2025, Hlavsová holds the rank of Major in the Czech Air Force.[11][12]
In December 2008, the Czech Air Force wanted to train helicopter pilots for desert conditions for the upcoming mission inAfghanistan.Israel was the only country that was ready to help out, as it saw this as an opportunity to thank the Czech Republic for training Israeli pilots and supporting Israel when it first became a state.[13][14]
The independence of the Czech Air Force was terminated on 1 December 2003 when the force became a part of newly established Joint Forces of the Czech Army with the command post located atOlomouc. Within the new structure the Air Force Commander-in-Chief was named as a Joint Forces Chief Commander Deputy.[5]
The Air Force operated within this structure until 30 June 2013. Within the framework of the reorganisation of the Army, on 1 July 2013 the independentHigh Command of the Czech Air Force (Czech:Velitelství vzdušných sil) was established,headquartered inPrague with new Commander in ChiefBrigadier General Libor Štefánik.[15] Former Joint Forces Command and Support Forces CommandHQs were disbanded by 30 June 2013.[16]With the Gripen contract due to expire in 2015, speculation mounted about whether that leasing agreement will be renewed or another type of fighter plane chosen.[17] The Czech government expected a tender to be organised to provide a force of 18 supersonic fighters after 2015. TheJAS 39 Gripen was generally accepted as the most effective option owing to the existing infrastructure, the availability of trained personnel and previous good operational experience. However, the background of the existing contract – specifically the broadly discussed issue of alleged corruption – prevented politicians from settling for this quick solution, favouring instead a general tender with more bidders offering such types as theF-16,F/A-18,F-15SE orF-35A.[18][19]
The creation of a non-supersonic air force has also been discussed as an option, owing to the perceived high costs and limited usefulness of keeping supersonic assets in a country surrounded by allied countries (all areEuropean Union members andNATO members, exceptAustria). In this scenario the subsonicL-159 would become the backbone of the air force. The latest 2011 White Book clearly states that the supersonic fleet is to be continued for the protection of the Czech Republic and for co-operation within the NATO Integrated Air Defence System.[20] Twelve single-seat and two twin-seat aircraft are viewed as sufficient for patrolling the Czech Republic, while 18 can support the sentry role in other NATO countries. A preliminary RFI requested 18 aircraft.[18] The White Book specifies the 12+2 solution, requiring strategic requirements for the supersonic air force to be specified by November 2011.
On 16 May 2014, the director general of the Swedish defence and export agency FXM and the Czech deputy defence minister for defence acquisitions signed the "Annex prolonging agreement of lease of the JAS 39 Gripen aircraft", ensuring also the continuous upgrading and increasing the capabilities of these machines. The Swedishsupersonic aircraft will equip the Czech Air Force until 2027 with anoption for further two years.[21]
Czech Defense MinisterMartin Stropnický has unveiled plans to replaceSoviet-designed military equipment with new weapons and to acquire helicopters and radars for the Czech Air Force, with tenders expected to be launched in 2015.[22][23] In June 2019, the Czech Defence Minister submitted a contract to the government for the procurement of twoC-295 transport aircraft to replace itsYakovlev Yak-40s.[24] On 22 August 2019, Czech Prime MinisterAndrej Babiš announced that the Czech Air Force had selected an offer fromBell Helicopter for eightUH-1Y Venom and fourAH-1Z Viper helicopters.[25] A contract for the helicopters was signed on 13 December 2019.[26]
In September 2020, both old Soviet Yak-40 transports were decommissioned in Kbely Air Force Base.[27] In September 2021, the last small VIP transport plane CL-601 Challenger ended its service. In March 2022, it was removed from military air registry,[28] and it is now one of the components of Military History Institute.[29]
In September 2021, Czech Defense minister Lubomír Metnar signed contract with government of Israel forSPYDER Air Defense systems[30] to replace old Soviet era 2K12M2 Kub (SA-6) systems.In April 2022, after Czech republic donated some of its Mi-24 helicopters to Ukraine as part of the military support, the US DoD decided to give additional 6 AH-1Z Viper and 2 UH-1Y Venom from their reserves as a gift to boost insufficient number of already ordered helicopters.[31] They should be delivered after modernisation in 2026 and 2027.[32] The first two AH-1Z arrived in July 2023 and both AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters were presented to public for the first time during the 2023 NATO Days in Ostrava.[33] All of the 12 ordered helicopters is expected to be delivered before the end of first quarter of 2024.[32]
In July 2022, Czech government selectedF-35A Lightning II as a new fighter aircraft to enter service after lease of the JAS 39 ends in 2027. For that purpose minister of defenceJana Černochová was authorized to start negotiation on procurement of 24 fighters with the government of United States of America.[34] On 27 September the Czech government approved the conditions of the contract for 24 F-35A that would be delivered from 2029 to 2033.[35]
Czech Air Force together withPolish Air Force protects the airspace ofSlovakia since 1 September 2022 whenSlovak Air Force grounded its oldMiG-29 and the term of delivery of the newF-16C fighters were postponed to 2024.[36]
Since the Czech Republic joinedNATO, regular participation at a number of the Alliance'sinternational exercises became a matter of course for the Czech Air Force. In 2009, the Czech Republic concluded an agreement regarding thecross-border collaboration and training with neighbouringGermany.[37]
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In 2002, the NATO Tiger Meet was held at the Beja Air Base in Portugal. The 331st Helicopter Squadron was honored there by proclaiming it as a full member of theNATO Tiger Association. The squadron also received the most prestigious trophy, the Silver Tiger. With its new 221st Helicopter Squadron designation the unit continues, rejuvenated by new incoming members, in the Tiger tradition through today.
After the deployment of newJAS 39 Gripen fighters in 2005, four Gripens took part in the NATO Tiger Meet for the first time in 2008 atFrenchLandivisiau. In 2010, the 211st Tactical Squadron was accepted as a full member of the NATO Tiger Association atVolkel Air Base, and the squadron was awarded a Silver Tiger Trophy.[38]
In 2011, the Czech Republic became the eighteenth country taking part in the NATOAirborne Early Warning and Control (NAEW&C) programme. Taking part in that international initiative means for Czech Air Force members an active participation inAWACS operations. A participation on the NAEW&C programme will cost the Czech Republic some 90 millionCZK a year.[39]
In December 2009, Czech Air Force members started to build-up a rear for their new helicopter unit to be deployed inAfghanistan. After that the first three modernizedMi-171Sh helicopters armed for self-defense withPKM machine guns were air-transported to Afghanistan byAntonov An-124 Ruslantransport aircraft on 5 January 2010. To the FOBSharana permanent forward operational base, all helicopters and unit members numbering 110 soldiers were flown on 17 January 2010. The Czech helicopter unit known as Task Force Hippo was ranged under Alliance Regional Command East. TF Hippo enteredISAF operations on 25 January 2010.[40][41]
The first advisory group of the Czech Air Force was sent to Afghanistan in April 2008. Involved then there were members of the 231st of the time and the recent 221st Helicopter Squadron who have been tasked to participate in an establishment of the newAfghan National Army. As a part of the internationalOperational Mentoring and Liaison Team (OMLT) they started to work as instructors during training of AfghanMi-24attack helicopter crews and in the same way to train ground personnel.
A new Czech team was added to the deployment in 2010. The new Czech group consisted of pilots and technicians from the 243rd Helicopter Squadron, respectively from the 24th Transport Air Base atPrague-Kbely. The main task of Kbely AMT (Air Mentoring Team) section has been defined as air training of AfghanMi-17/Mi-171 transport helicopter crews.
The Czech Republic also provided material help toAfghan Air Force which included supplies of aviation equipment – six Mi-17 transport helicopters and six Mi-24 attack helicopters. After selected helicopters underwent major overhauls and modernizations all have been presented to the Afghan National Army during the 2007–2009.[42]
The Czech Republic first joined theBaltic Air Policing (BAP) mission from 1 May until 31 August 2009 when a four-Gripen contingent was based inBaltic region. The second mission of the task force took place from 1 September 2012 until 4 January 2013. The main task of the Baltic Air Policing 2012 mission was to ensure protection of theairspace over the land and water territory of the threeBaltic states –Latvia,Lithuania andEstonia. The whole mission was a part of NATINADS, operating from theŠiauliai Air Base in Lithuania. Remaining Czech Air Force Gripens were also in a24/7 readiness on their home base atČáslav. As in 2009, also during the 2012 Baltic mission the targets ofAlpha scrambles wereRussian military aircraft that failed to observe the flight rules of thecivilian air corridors.[43]
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One of the most important tasks of the Czechmilitary transport aviation in recent years is to provide support to the internationalMultinational Force and Observers (MFO)peace mission at theSinai Peninsula. A small unit with one transportC-295Mturboprop belonging to the equipment of the 24th Transport Air Base atPrague-Kbely has operated there since early November 2013 and contributes to the surveillance and monitoring the peace agreement betweenEgypt andIsrael.[44]
In relation to the2014 Russian invasion of the Eastern Ukraine and occupation of Crimea the Government of theCzech Republic decided to provide help to the Ukrainian people. The first large-scale evacuation took place on 27 February 2014, when two aircraft departed the 24th Transport Air Base atPrague-Kbely forKyiv, Ukraine. TheA319CJ was fitted with two PTUs (Patient Transport Units) and twostretchers, theC-295M carried one PTU and 12 stretchers. The aircraft brought 27 Ukrainian citizens to the Czech Republic. Medical care was provided during the flight by a team of military medical personnel from the Centre of the aviation rescue service atPlzeň-Líně and from the Central Military Hospital in Prague. The secondMEDEVAC mission took place on 6 March 2014, when one C-295M brought to the Czech Republic further 11 wounded persons.[45]
JAS 39C/D Gripen
Helicopters
other flying units
Command and Control centres
Air defence missile unit
RAT-31DL radar sites
other sites
The Czech Air Force consists of the following main units:[46][47]
The Czech Air Force Command is astaff component based in theCzech Armed Forces General Staff compound inPrague.[48]
Flight Training Center Pardubice with 1×EV-97, 8×Z-142CAF, 1×Zlin Z-142, 1×Zlin Z-43, 7×L-39C Albatros, 1xL-39 Skyfox,[53] 1×L-410UVP, 8xEnstrom 480B and 6×Mi-17,[54][55][56] is not a part of the Air Force. Primary flight training was outsourced as of 1 April 2004. CLV is a branch of LOM PRAHA s.p., state owned company.[57]
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||
| F-35A Lightning II | United States | Multirole | 24[58] | |
| Bell AH-1Z | United States | Attack | 6[59] | |
| Bell UH-1Y | United States | Utility | 2[59] | |
| Embraer C-390 Millennium | Brazil | Transport | 2[60] | |
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| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | |||||
| Aero L-159 | Czech Republic | Light attack | L-159A | 16[61] | |
| JAS 39 Gripen | Sweden | Multirole | JAS 39C | 12[61] | Leased from theSwedish Air Force[62] |
| Transport | |||||
| Let L-410 | Czech Republic | Utility | L-410UVP[63] | 6[61] | Two L-410FG used forsurveillance[63] |
| Airbus A319CJ | France | VIP transport | A319CJ | 2[64] | |
| CASA C-295 | Spain | Cargo /Transport | C-295M | 6[61] | |
| Helicopters | |||||
| Mil Mi-17 | Soviet Union | Utility | 17/171 | 20[61] | |
| PZL W-3 | Poland | Utility | W-3A | 10[61] | |
| Bell AH-1Z | United States | Attack | 4[61] | 6 on order[61] | |
| Bell UH-1Y | United States | Utility | 8[61] | 2 on order[61] | |
| Trainer aircraft | |||||
| Aero L-159 | Czech Republic | Jet trainer | L-159T1/T2[65] | 8[61] | |
| JAS 39 Gripen | Sweden | Jet trainer | JAS 39D | 2[61] | Leased from the Swedish Air Force |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
