DEFENCEWEB
The Zambia Air Force has ordered two turbine-powered Enstrom 480B helicopters for training pilots and personnel.
Enstrom Helicopter Corp., a U.S. company, announced the sale in April 2023. The helicopters will be based in Lusaka and used for training and utility missions. A training package is included in the deal.
The helicopters will be equipped with cargo hooks and space for cameras, as well as Garmin avionics and glass panels.
South Africa’s Safomar Aviation Group coordinated and assisted Enstrom in the sale to Zambia, including logistics, specifications and configuration of the helicopters. Safomar operates a large regional maintenance, repair and overhaul facility, and a flight school. It maintains and operates Enstrom helicopters throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Zambia Air Force has been gradually expanding, taking delivery of light combat, transport and trainer aircraft over the past decade. In 2019, two C-27J Spartan transports were delivered from Italy, and a Gulfstream 650ER jet was acquired for VIP transport. Zambia acquired two Bell 412 utility helicopters from Italy in 2021.
In 2022, South Africa supplied a Bell 412SP utility helicopter and a Cessna 208B EX Caravan transport plane after the U.S. delivered a Cessna 208 EX in 2020.
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