Of these helicopters, three will be delivered to the Argentine Army and the other three, with particular configurations, to the Argentine Air Force.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces (EMCOFFA) published Administrative Decision No. DECAD-2023-68-APN-JGM approving the purchase of six Bell 407 GXi helicopters for USD 32,416,188.
Relacionado a la firma del Contrato para la adquisición Conjunta de seis helicópteros Bell 407 GXI con capacidad para operar en alta montaña con la Empresa @BellFlight, el poder ejecutivo ha formalizado la compra mediante la Decisión Administrativa Nro DECAD-2023-68-APN-JGM pic.twitter.com/bBMSfJJA0x
— Fuerzas Armadas de la República Argentina (@EMCOFFA_Arg) January 31, 2023
The joint procurement, made to meet the need for a new platform to replace the venerable SA-315B Lama for high mountain missions, was won by Bell Textron Canada, with its Bell 407 GXi. The proposals of Airbus Helicopters with the H145 and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with its LUH Mk-1 were also evaluated.
The signing of the purchase contract between the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Argentine Armed Forces and Bell Canada took place on December 21, 2022 at the “Libertador General San Martín” building, headquarters of the Ministry of Defense, in the city of Buenos Aires.
See also: Argentina buys six Bell 407 GXI helicopters to replace its SA315B Lama
The Lama replacement process dates back to 2011, but it was repeatedly frustrated due to the recurrent lack of resources allocated to the Defense. Only with the application of the FONDEF (National Defense Fund) Law was it possible to carry out the project and sign the contract.
In addition to the aircraft, the contract includes training and instruction for crew members and technical personnel, manuals, tooling, ground support equipment, etc.
