Force Continues Significant Growth

The The Dominican Air Force (FARD) has contracted with Leonardo Helicopters for four AW169 helicopters, which will considerably strengthen its fleet. An announcement in 2022 stated that twin-engined helicopters were to be procured, with speculation rife that they were used Bell UH-1N or Bell 412: the selection of the AW169 ends such speculation.

The aircraft were produced for the Al Zaeem school of the Qatari Air Force, but the sale was frustrated and the aircraft were first offered to the Colombian Police, but ended up being sold to the FARD. The force has been growing significantly recently, six Bell UH-1H Super Huey IIs for the Air Force and two Bell TH-67A Creek for the Army having been delivered. The new purchase means a huge leap forward in technology compared to the current helicopter inventory, based mainly on older UH-1H Hueys and even older OH-58 Kiowas, both in a variety of modernised versions.

Santiago Rivas in Buenos Aires for MON