Breaking news
Second Super Puma AS332 C1e delivered by Airbus Helicopters to the Bolivian Air Force.
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World Industry Defense & Security News - Airbus Helicopters |
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| Second Super Puma AS332 C1e delivered by Airbus Helicopters to the Bolivian Air Force | |||||
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the 2nd Super Puma AS332 C1e to the Bolivian
Air Force (FAB). At the end of 2013, the FAB purchased six of these light-medium
helicopters to fight drug trafficking and perform civil security and public
service missions throughout the country. The first helicopter was delivered
in August of this year and the four remaining helicopters will be delivered
between now and 2016. |
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The
official handover ceremony held in Cochabamba was attended by Bolivian
President Evo Morales, members of the FAB High Command, France Ambassador
in Bolivia, Mr Michel Pinard, and Airbus Helicopters representatives.
The contract for
the Super Puma helicopters also includes a logistical support package
that aims to provide the FAB with the resources and know-how it needs
to ensure a high level of fleet availability. Since the arrival of the
first Super Puma last summer, the FAB has benefited from the services
of a permanent technical expert and the support of an instructor pilot
and maintenance instructor to ensure these new helicopters enter smoothly
into service. The spirit of cooperation between the two countries is
also reflected in the technology transfer program to foster the development
of the aerospace industry in Bolivia, which has seen more than 100 pilots
and technicians of the FAB receive training. |
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In
2012 the FAB added two EC145 helicopters to its fleet, which were followed
by another two in 2014. All four of these powerful twin-engine rotorcraft
are used for VIP transportation and to provide support in the event of
natural disasters and emergencies. These EC145s already demonstrated their
versatility, resilience and reliability during the rescue operations following
the floods that ravaged the eastern part of the country at the beginning
of this year and on missions to transport authorities during the G77 summit
held in June in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz.
The Super Puma family is particularly well suited to operations in Latin America, where more than 110 helicopters are currently in service and more than 50 are on order. Its ability to operate at high altitude, in the jungle and at extreme temperatures allows it to overcome the region’s unique challenges, especially in the mountains and plateaus of the Andes, where altitude and temperature often prove challenging. With more than 4.75 million flight hours around the world, this fast, powerful, reliable and safe helicopter has become the benchmark in its class and is in service in virtually every country in Latin America. It is perfectly suited for a wide variety of missions ranging from tactical transport to public service, surveillance, medical evacuation and the fight against drug trafficking. Among the major assets of this helicopter, which can be rapidly configured for different missions, are its adaptability and versatility. These facets have helped it earn the confidence and trust of 94 customers in 48 countries. |
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Bolivian Air Force's second 
Bolivian Air
Force's second