U.S. donates twelve MD530F helicopters to the Salvadoran Air Force

In an announcement made by the US Embassy in El Salvador, the Central American country will receive a first batch of 8 MD530F, which will be complemented by a second donation of 4 units of the same model, expected to be received shortly.

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According to Diario El Salvador, both donations of helicopters are part of the agreement on donations for cooperation in defense and security.

The US Chargé d’Affaires in El Salvador, Jean Manes, announced the news on her Twitter account:

✅Donación de 8 helicópteros y cuatro más están en camino
✅Donación de equipo logístico para apoyo aéreo
✅Formación de pilotos pic.twitter.com/Gxl04WZ3Wk

— Jefe de Misión de la Embajada de EE.UU. en E.S. (@USAmbSV) August 27, 2021

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Manes also explained, through her social networks, that medical training will be provided to the military institution’s personnel, as well as «training on women topics, peace and security».

The donation includes, in addition to the delivery of these first 8 MD530Fs, logistic equipment and spare parts, as well as the training of pilots and ground personnel.

MD530F

This is a light, multi-mission, fast and extremely agile single-engine helicopter. It is an ideal vehicle for a variety of government missions including: police/security, tactical reconnaissance, border patrol, light attack, search and rescue (SAR), armed patrol, deployment of special forces units, etc.

The helicopters would be factory new, and not second-hand units, which were originally purchased from the manufacturer by the U.S. Military for deployment on peacekeeping missions or for donation to allied nations.