Ukraine to receive retired RAF Puma helicopters from UK
The United Kingdom is set to deliver several retired Puma helicopters to Ukraine, following their retirement from service in the Royal Air Force. A similar decision is under consideration by France, which is also phasing out this type of aircraft.
The RAF bid farewell to the Puma helicopters a few days ago, on March 31st. There was little indication they would be transferred to Ukraine, even though analysts suggested that this would be a strategic move for several reasons. The situation has apparently evolved quickly.
The United Kingdom will deliver Puma HC.2 helicopters to Ukraine
According to the Avions Legendaires portal, the United Kingdom will send between 8 and 10 Puma helicopters to Ukraine. The portal specifies that these are HC.2 variant helicopters, which were the best used in the RAF.
Avions Legendaires write that in reality, for several months, Ukrainians have been discreetly discussing older generation helicopters they would like to receive, and Pumas were at the top of the list.
An old but still useful helicopter
In the HC.2 variant, these helicopters feature improved, more powerful Makila 1A1 engines, along with modern digital avionics and cockpit, and larger fuel tanks. Thanks to these upgrades, they offer greater range and/or higher payload capacity. The Puma HC.2 can carry up to 16 passengers, up to 12 fully equipped soldiers, or up to 2,000 kg (about 4,400 pounds) of cargo. Its maximum speed is just over 305 km/h (about 190 mph), and its basic armament consists of two 7.62 mm machine guns.
Avions Legendaires notes that Ukraine is already familiar with Puma helicopters, as it received eight of these from Portugal last year—in the older SA-330 variant. France, moving to H225M Caracal helicopters, is also phasing them out. Some SA-330s have already been retired and are in storage, while the remaining ones (mainly serving in France's overseas territories) will meet a similar fate soon.
Additional Puma helicopters for the Ukrainian army would help reduce the workload on the older, Soviet-era Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, which are still in use.
