Beirut: The UAE yesterday delivered the first four of ten Puma helicopters it committed to boost the airlift capability of Lebanon's armed forces.
The delivery is in line with President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's order to grant aircraft to the Lebanese Army.
Major General Pilot Fares Mohammad Al Mazroui, head of the Supplies Authority at the UAE Armed Forces, said Shaikh Khalifa's gesture comes within the framework of cooperation between the UAE and Lebanon and is in line with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The remaining six helicopters will be delivered later this year.
All weather
The SA330 Puma helicopter, which was originally developed to meet the requirements of the French army, is capable of operating day and night as well as in all-weather conditions.
Al Mazroui said the Puma is used in search and rescue operations as well as in medical evacuation. It is also used in transporting troops and military equipment, he added.
Al Mazroui praised the level of Lebanese Air force teams which exerted major effort to be able to operate the aircraft in a short span of time. He wished the Lebanese Army success and more progress. The delivery took place in Beirut where a special ceremony was held in the presence of UAE Armed Forces officers and Lebanese civilian and military officials.
