The Benin Air Force has received three Puma helicopters from France as part of a donation to help the country’s fight against terrorism. The helicopters were handed over to the Benin government on July 6, 2023, in a ceremony attended by French Defense Minister Florence Parly and Benin’s Minister of Defense Fortunet Nomade.
The Puma helicopters are versatile and capable aircraft that can be used for a variety of missions, including troop transport, search and rescue, and medical evacuation. They are also well-suited for counter-terrorism operations, as they can be equipped with a variety of weapons and sensors.
The donation of the Puma helicopters is a significant boost to the Benin Air Force’s capabilities. The helicopters will be used to support the country’s counter-terrorism operations in the north, where there has been an increase in attacks by terrorist groups in recent years.
The donation of the helicopters is also a sign of the strong relationship between France and Benin. France has been a long-standing partner of Benin and has provided the country with military assistance in the past. The donation of the Puma helicopters is a further demonstration of France’s commitment to helping Benin fight terrorism.
In a speech at the handover ceremony, Parly said that the Puma helicopters would “play a major role in the fight against terrorism in Benin.” She also said that the helicopters would “contribute to the security and stability of the region.”
Nomade, for his part, thanked France for the donation of the helicopters. He said that the helicopters would “greatly enhance” the Benin Air Force’s capabilities. He also said that the helicopters would “help us to better protect our country and our people.”
The arrival of the Puma helicopters is a welcome development for the Benin Air Force and for the country as a whole. The helicopters will be a valuable asset in the fight against terrorism, and they will help to keep Benin and its people safe. The acquisition of the Puma helicopters is also a sign of the strong ties between Benin and France, its former colonial power. France has been providing military assistance and training to Benin for decades, as well as economic and cultural cooperation. France is also one of the main donors of the G5 Sahel force, which it supports with its own troops and equipment. The delivery of the Puma helicopters is part of a larger deal that includes maintenance and spare parts.
Benin has been improving its aerospace capabilities in recent times and has received a number of new hardware.
The Benin Air Force recently acquired two H125M helicopters from Airbus, which are now being utilized to combat terrorism in the northern region of the country. This acquisition marks a milestone in Benin’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities and safeguard its citizens from the threat of terrorism.
However, the country’s plans to buy Russian Mi-171 transport helicopters have been set back by the war in Ukraine. State firm Russian Helicopters, whose production lines have been disrupted by the conflict, has failed to provide the helicopters Benin needs to strengthen its air force in the fight against armed groups in the north.
The setback is a blow to Benin’s security forces, who are struggling to contain the growing threat from armed groups in the north of the country. The groups, which are linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, have carried out a number of attacks in recent months, killing dozens of people.