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Czech Air Force to showcase premieres and farewell flights

The jubilee 25th edition of NATO Days in Ostrava will, for the sixteenth time, be held in conjunction with the Czech Air Force Days. Thanks to this partnership, visitors will once again have the opportunity to witness an extensive presentation of the capabilities of the Czech Air Force—both current and future.

All units of the Czech Air Force will be represented at Leoš Janáček Ostrava Airport. Like the rest of the Czech Armed Forces, they are undergoing a comprehensive modernization, allowing visitors to see both newly acquired equipment and the latest additions to the arsenal.

“Sixteen years have passed since NATO Days in Ostrava officially joined forces with Czech Air Force Days, during which time the presentation of the Czech Air Force has become one of the event’s key pillars,” says Zbyněk Pavlačík, Chairman of Jagello 2000. “This year’s edition not only continues this tradition but takes it further—visitors will see new technologies in action, while also bidding farewell to iconic aircraft that have faithfully served in Czech colors for many years. The program thus offers both a glimpse into the future of Czech aviation and a dignified farewell to legendary aircraft now being retired.”

For the very first time at NATO Days, the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters will be presented in action, including a spectacular joint demonstration with their counterparts from the 7th Mechanized Brigade of the Czech Army’s ground forces. The H-1 helicopter system will also feature in a unique specialized exhibition dedicated to modernization, where it will be displayed alongside ground forces’ equipment as well as future assets of the Air Force—new air defense systems.

Among these will be the MADR radar and the premiere demonstration of the SPYDER surface-to-air missile system, joined by their established counterparts such as the RBS-70 and the RVR radar.

A symbolic farewell will be given to aircraft nearing the end of their service life, including the W-3A Sokol in its search-and-rescue variant, which will perform one of its final public appearances. Equally notable will be both static and dynamic displays of the legendary Czech version of the Soviet-designed Mi-171š helicopter.

Another debut will be the first display performance over Mošnov by Captain Jan Ratz, the new display pilot of the single-seat JAS-39C Gripen from the 211th Tactical Squadron. The two-seat version of the Gripen, together with the L-159 ALCA light attack aircraft, will further expand the already rich static exhibition. Members of the Air Force, together with the Polish special operations unit AGAT, will also perform their traditional parachute jump with flags.

Selected Czech Air Force equipment will be on view up close as early as Wednesday, 17 September, as part of the official accompanying program “Action Afternoon” at the Géčko Shopping Center.

See you at
the NATO Days in Ostrava
& Czech Air Force Days!