The Chilean Government has officially started the procedure for the purchase of 14 light helicopters which will enter service in the Air Force fleet. According to national and international media reports, the defense ministry sent requests for information to potential suppliers.

The planned acquisition is intended to modernize the Air Force's fleet by replacing the current 10 Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopters in service with Aviation Group 9, which uses them for pilot training at its flight school. In the Air Force fleet, these aircraft, produced from 1987-1988, are flanked by Bell 412s and Sikorsky S-70s. Chile also uses them for transport, civil protection and firefighting operations.

Last February 2023, the Government of Chile had given the green light to define the tender for the supply of military helicopters. Among the requirements: capabilities of day and night search and rescue missions, medical evacuation, general transport. After this first discussion with the suppliers, we will move on to the aircraft selection and purchase phases, which should be completed by the second half of 2023.