Pakistan will lease two military helicopters, has announced Punjab State Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi. Administration officials said the new aircraft will also be used in police and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Entry into service is expected within three months of the imminent publication of the call for tenders. 

The offers, specifies a note from the Punjab government, will have to comply with the regulations of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). According to local media reports, this is a decision made necessary by shortcomings in the fleet: the current government aircraft is undergoing maintenance and the call for tenders (for 1.3 million euros) for the lease of a new one has been released last month.