Airbus Helicopters delivers another Super Puma to Bolivia

FAB Airbus Helicopters AS332 C1e

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the second Super Puma AS332 C1e helicopter to the Bolivian Air Force (FAB).

In 2013, the FAB ordered six helicopters to fight drug trafficking and perform civil security and public service missions throughout the country.

ALSO READ: Bolivia orders six AS332 C1e helicopters

The first helicopter was delivered in August 2014 and the four remaining helicopters will be delivered between now and 2016.

The official handover ceremony held in Cochabamba was attended by Bolivian President Evo Morales, members of the FAB High Command, France Ambassador in Bolivia, Michel Pinard, and Airbus Helicopters representatives.

Bolivia has a long association with Airbus Helicopters that stretches back to the early 1970s with the Lama and Alouette. In 2009, these were replaced by the AS350 B3.

In 2012, the FAB added two EC145 helicopters to its fleet, which were followed by another two in 2014. These helicopters are used for VIP transportation and to provide support in the event of natural disasters and emergencies.

There are more than 110 Super Pumas are currently in service and where over 50 are on order. The Super Puma helicopter family are able to operate at high altitude in the Andes, in the jungle and at extreme temperatures.