Czech Republic Dispatches Helicopters to Guard Poland’s Skies

2025-09-11 02:51:33

(MENAFN) The Czech Republic announced on Wednesday it will provide Poland with helicopter support to counter low-altitude drone incursions, according to the Czech Ministry of Defense.

Citing "current threats" linked to drone activity over Polish skies, the ministry confirmed its readiness to dispatch a special operations helicopter unit equipped with three modified Mi-171S aircraft.

This deployment follows a request from Poland, made after a phone conversation between Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova and her Polish counterpart Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, the ministry’s statement said.

The contingent will include no more than 150 troops, with the final number adjusted based on evolving circumstances and logistical capacities, it added.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized the urgency, posting on social media platform X: "Our helicopters can assist in the defense of European airspace within a few days."

The announcement comes after Polish air forces intercepted multiple drones on Wednesday amid reports of a "huge number of Russian drones" breaching Polish airspace, some presenting a "direct threat."

Warsaw characterized this event as the first confirmed shootdown of Russian drones on NATO territory. However, Moscow denied these claims, labeling them unfounded.

Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in Poland, Andrey Ordash, was quoted by media as stating the drones originated from Ukraine.

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