Argentina buys six Bell 407 GXI helicopters to replace its SA315B Lama

Today, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces and Bell Canada signed a contract for the acquisition of six Bell 407 GXI, which will replace the SA315B Lama, for high mountain rescue operations.

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The signing of the contract took place at the «Libertador» building, between the LG Juan Martin Paleo, head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and representatives of the Bell company. Three of the helicopters will be delivered to the Argentine Army (EA), and the other three, with particular configurations, will be operated by the Argentine Air Force (FAA).

The Lama replacement process dates back to 2011, but it was repeatedly frustrated due to the recurrent lack of funds allocated to the Defense. Only with the application of the FONDEF (National Defense Fund) Law was it possible to carry out the project and sign the contract.

See also: The first Bell 407 GXi registered in Argentina completes its assembly

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As this is a joint project, meaning that two or more forces use the same material, it reduces the time and cost of personnel training (pilots, technicians and mechanics), in addition to maintaining the same logistical support and facilitating interoperability between them.

In addition to high altitude operations (for which the Airbus H145 and HAL LUH MK-1 were also evaluated), the new Bell 407 GXI will perform search and rescue (SAR) missions, community support, aero-medical evacuations, natural disaster response, etc.