RAF Puma helos prepare for deployment to Afghanistan

The United Kingdom is to deploy its newly upgraded Westland/Aerospatiale SA 330E Puma HC.2 medium transport helicopters to Afghanistan this month, just weeks after initial operating capability (IOC) for the type was declared, as part of Operation 'Toral', the UK's contribution to the NATO 'Resolute Support' training and assistance mission. They will replace the three Chinook helicopters that have been flying in support of the Afghan National Army and Afghan Security Ministries in Kabul since late 2014.
The HC.2 is earmarked to remain in service until 2025, but Gp Capt Paterson said that he could see this being date being pushed back. "You can break the Puma down in four hours, load into the back of a C-17 [transport aircraft], fly it to anywhere in the world, and assemble it again in four hours. That's not something you can do with any other [UK military] helicopter.
janes

Thales to supply sonobuoy processors to Romanian Navy

Romanian helicopter manufacturer IAR Brasov has chosen Thales to supply TMS 2000 sonobuoy processors to equip IAR-330 Puma helicopters operated by the Romanian Navy.
The processors will give the Romanian Navy a decisive anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability to detect submarines in the Black Sea, in particular as part of NATO missions.
thalesgroup

Eurocopter wins RAF's Puma HC2 support deal

Eurocopter has won a €60 million ($79 million), three-year deal to support 24 Puma helicopters it is upgrading to the HC2 standard for the UK Royal Air Force.
The support contract will be co-ordinated through Eurocopter UK's facility in Oxford, close to the main operating base for the Puma fleet at RAF Benson.
Eight Pumas have been upgraded under the programme so far, which was awarded to Eurocopter by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2009.
The enhancements add uprated Turbomeca Makila 1A1 powerplants, a full glass cockpit, additional defensive aids and ballistic protection. The programme extends the operational life of the helicopters to 2025.
flightglobal

RAF plans to field Puma Mk2 delayed

The crash of a civilian Puma helicopter which killed key Eurocopter flight test crew is partly to blame for the RAF’s decision to field the upgraded Puma Mk2 until middle of next year.

alert5

defensenews

UK receives first upgraded Puma HC2

Eurocopter has handed over the first upgraded Puma HC2 helicopter to the UK Ministry of Defence

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EMPRESA FRANCESA MODERNIZARA FUERZA AÉREA LIBANESA/FRENCH COMPANY TO REVAMP LEBANESE AIR FORCE

El Líbano ha firmado un contrato con Euro Tech de Francia, para la puesta al día 13 helicópteros Gazelle de la fuerza aérea libanesa.
Wl acuerdo implica la puesta al día, y entrenamiento en los Puma libaneses de fabricación francesa que se recibirán entre este año y 2011, con un total previsto de 10. Algunas voces han comentado que los misiles que dotarán a los Gazelle, podrían terminar en manos de Hizbullah. Francia suministró misiles para los Gazelle por un pedido directo del primer ministro que anunció que habían usado todos los cohetes disponibles para luchar contra las milicias de Fatah al-Islam en 2007.
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French Company to Revamp Lebanon's Gazelle Helicopters, Equip Pumas
Lebanon has signed an agreement with the French company Euro Tech --specialized in revamping and equipping planes -- to revamp 13 Gazelle-type helicopters owned by Lebanon and equip the Puma helicopters granted by the UAE to Lebanon, according to the Central News Agency.
The agreement implies revamping the helicopters and training Lebanese pilots on flying the French-manufactured Puma helicopters. The Puma helicopters are expected to start arriving within the first half of 2010 in two batches, the first includes four helicopters and the second includes six. Earlier media reports said that France was worried that providing the Lebanese army with weapons, including missiles for the Gazelle helicopters, could end up in Hizbullah hands. France's stance was conveyed during a visit by Prime Minister Saad Hariri to Paris. It came in response to Hariri's request to provide Lebanon with Gazelle missiles since the Lebanese Air Force used up all the rockets against Fatah al-Islam militants during the battle of Nahr el-Bared in 2007. The ten Puma helicopters that were part of UAE grant to Lebanon were also to be used for light transport and liaison roles and not for combat.