With a two-year-old delay: the Armed Forces will receive a batch of Ka-32 helicopters (photo)
These machines were purchased by Portugal in 2007, but the country could not serve them because of sanctions against Russia, which made it impossible to operate. This was reported on September 7 by Sic Noticia. According to the newspaper, the last truck with helicopters left the territory of Portugal on September 6, 2024. The country's defense agency confirmed the completion of the "after a long period of uncertainty and negotiations".
Defense Express observers write that among the helicopters transmitted, one machine was lost as a result of the 2012 accident, which provides for its use exclusively as a donor of spare parts. Despite the initial expectations of fast transmission, the process has been delayed for almost two years. But during this time, Portugal continued to provide military assistance to Ukraine, providing, for example, 60 APC M113 and three LEOPARD 2A6 tanks.
However, the fate of Ka-32 helicopters remained uncertain until recently. One of the factors of delay could be the change of Portugal's government, initiated by early parliamentary elections, which were scheduled for March 2024. The process of forming a new Cabinet of Ministers could additionally delay the decisions on the transfer of equipment.