Portugal transfers eight SA-330 Puma helicopters to Ukraine
Photo: Portugal transferred eight SA-330 Puma helicopters to Ukraine (wikipedia.org)
Portugal has transferred eight SA-330 Puma helicopters to Ukraine as part of a military aid package approved at the end of 2024, according to the Ministry of Defense of Portugal.
It is noted that the helicopters were sent for storage in 2012 and were put up for sale in flying condition in 2014.
A distinctive feature of the Portuguese SA-330 Puma helicopters is their modern fire control systems, which allow the launch of Exocet anti-ship missiles.
Additionally, the nose section is equipped with the ORB-31 radar system, which provides search and identification of maritime targets, navigation, and fire control, significantly enhancing their effectiveness during combat missions at sea.
The SA-330 Puma helicopters were an important part of the Portuguese aviation from 1970 to 2009, actively participating in operations in North Africa during the colonial wars. In recent years, they were used for personnel transport and search-and-rescue operations.
Portugal purchased a total of 13 helicopters of this type, which were replaced in the 2010s with the modern EH-101 Merlin, produced by a British-Italian consortium.
In September 2024, Portugal transferred six Russian-made Ka-32 firefighting helicopters to Ukraine.
