Air Force of Zimbabwe takes delivery of H215 transport helicopter.

On April 18, The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has taken delivery of an Airbus H215 helicopter. According to some undisclosed sources, the helicopter is intended to serve as VIP transport helicopter and  replace the aged Cougar helicopter used to fly the President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

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H215 helicopter (Picture source: Airbus)

The Airbus Helicopters H215 (formerly Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma) is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter developed and marketed originally by Aérospatiale, later by Eurocopter and currently by Airbus Helicopters. It is a re-engined and more voluminous version of the original Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma.

The H215’s large interior accommodates 19 passengers comfortably or up to 22 troops, making it ideal for passenger transport. It can also be used for executive and VIP transport, with up to 12 seats, and as a corporate shuttle. As a head-of-state aircraft, cabin layouts can include front and rear lounges, galleys and lavatories, along with food service galleys.

In aerial work and utility missions, the H215 offers a cargo sling capacity of up to 4.5 tonnes and good high and hot performance. Heavy internal loads are facilitated through large sliding doors that allow bulky freight to be loaded and unloaded, while its rear access facilitates the handling of long loads.

Transport configuration of the H215 helicopter (Picture source: Airbus)