Bolivian Army purchased six Chinese Harbin H425 helicopters.

Defence & Security News - Bolivia

Bolivia and China have engaged in signing a contract to purchase Bolivian Army with six Harbin H425 helicopters. Bolivian Foreign Minister, Mr. Carlos Romero and Planning Minister, Mr. Viviana Caro signed the accord with China diplomatic representative, Mr. Shen Zhiliang, during a ceremony held in La Paz.

The new helicopters have been assigned to Group General Air Cavalry Division St. James, based in the city of Cochabamba.

The Government of Bolivia has invested $ 104 million in the purchase of rotary wing aircraft of the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), and a lot of spare parts, accessories, simulator and pilot training and technicians, according to a note by the Bolivian Information Agency (ABI).

Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Bolivia, Li Dong, also present at the ceremony, said that the provision of helicopters is the third project of cooperation of his country, since China previously provided Bolivia with MA60 transport aircraft and training/light attack aircraft K-8. "It is also the first time the H425 helicopters is operating in countries of America," he said.

For its part, the commanding general of the Army, General Omar Salinas Ortuño, said the provision of rotary wing aircrafts marks the era of institutional modernization that began brewing in 2006 and will be consolidated for 2025.

It was also reported that 17 pilots and 24 technicians were especially trained in China, Brazil, Ecuador and Venezuela. The H425 helicopters delivered, says the note from the Ministry of Defence, will serve for personnel and supplies, reconnaissance, medical evacuation and search and rescue (SAR) operations . The HS425 helicopters also provide support the fight against smuggling and drug trafficking, as determined by the General Command of the Bolivian Army.

The H425 is a newly developed version of the Harbin Z-9 which itself is the Chinese version of the EADS /Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin/Panther helicopter. The delivery of the H425 would be the first rotary wing assets to the Bolivian Armed Forces.