Bolivia approves purchase of two multipurpose emergency helicopters.

On November 29, 2023, Bolivia's President, Luis Alberto Arce Catacora, took a step to enhance the country's emergency response capabilities by signing the Decreto Supremo N° 5074. This decree approves the provision of two multipurpose helicopters to the Bolivian Air Force for preferential use in civil defense, disaster response, emergencies, and other activities that benefit the Bolivian population.

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As of the latest available information in 2022, the Bolivian Armed Forces maintain a helicopter fleet consisting of 36 units.  (Picture source: Bolivia MoD)

The decision was prompted by the increasing frequency of emergency and disaster situations in Bolivia in recent years. Hailstorms, intense rains, floods, landslides, river overflows, frosts, forest fires, and drought have necessitated specialized equipment for the Bolivian Forces to address and manage such incidents.

According to the decree, the President deems it necessary to equip the Bolivian Air Force with specialized tools that enable prompt and timely operations in these emergency and disaster situations. The envisaged roles for the multipurpose helicopters include search and rescue missions, fire control, transportation of people, and other activities aimed at saving lives and preserving the environment.

The Decreto Supremo N° 5074, presented in the Council of Ministers, outlines the objective and authorization for the purchase of the helicopters. Article 1 of the decree explicitly states the objective of addressing disasters and emergencies by authorizing the Ministry of Defense to purchase two multipurpose helicopters. The Ministry of Defense is exceptionally empowered, according to Article 2, to contract directly abroad for the acquisition of these helicopters.

The contracting process, specified in the decree, falls under the responsibility of the Maximum Executive Authority of the Ministry of Defense, exempt from the usual requirements such as the supplier's certificate of the Single Registry of State Suppliers. Upon completion of the direct contracting, the Ministry of Defense is obligated to submit contract information to the General Comptroller's Office and register the details in the State Contracting System.

To facilitate the financial aspect of this initiative, Article 3 grants authorization to the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance to transfer necessary resources to the Ministry of Defense for the purchase of the two multipurpose helicopters through the National Treasury.

As part of the transitional provisions, the Ministry of Defense is mandated to regulate the contracting procedure within ten business days from the publication of the Decreto Supremo N° 5074. The Ministers of State in the Defense and Economy and Public Finance Offices are entrusted with the execution and compliance with this directive.

As of the latest available information in 2022, the Bolivian Armed Forces maintain a helicopter fleet consisting of 36 units, including various models. Among these, only one MRH (multi-role helicopter), a SA316 Alouette III, is included. In the medium category, the fleet comprises a total of 6 Airbus Helicopters H215 (formerly Eurocopter AS332B1 Super Puma). Additionally, in the light category, there are 29 helicopters, specifically 2 Airbus Helicopters H125 (formerly Aérospatiale AS350 Écureuil), 19 Bell 205/UH-1H Iroquois, 2 Airbus Helicopters H145 (formerly Eurocopter EC145), and 6 R-44 Raven II helicopters.