The Somali government has acquired four Bell 412EPX helicopters, which will be the most deployed to Somalia since the arms embargo was lifted.
These planes, whose value is said to be 16 million US dollars, were said to have been given to the Italian government, and were handed over to the Somali government earlier this week, according to security analysts and news from the Somali army.
A government source who asked not to be named confirmed that the helicopters were purchased by the Somali government and were not donated, as previously reported by the media.
The information emphasized that after the lifting of the arms embargo, Somalia is free to purchase any military equipment.
“With the lifting of the arms embargo, the government of Somalia now has the freedom to purchase any military equipment it deems necessary, without the need for notification or approval from outside parties,” the government of Somalia previously said. count.
These helicopters are expected to play an important role in the ongoing war in Somalia against Al Shabaab.
As the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) is scaling back its troop presence, the acquisition of these helicopters represents a major boost to Somalia’s military capabilities and ongoing efforts to combat extremist groups. .
