New helicopters for the Benin Air Force
On 1 August 2023, the Republic of Benin celebrated the 63rd anniversary of independence. At Cotonou/Cadjehoun, also known as Aéroport International Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, the Force Aerienne du Benin (Benin Air Force) showed their recently acquired helicopters.
The new helicopters, two H125 Ecureuil single-engine light utility helicopters and three AS332M1 Super Puma medium-sized utility helicopters.
The H125s, serials TY-37H and TY-38H, were delivered as airfreight by ZetAvia Ilyushin Il-76TD UR-ZAR to Benin on 2 February 2023. The Ilyushin flight originated in Girona (Spain). The H125s are ex EC-NXF (c/n 9223) respectively ex EC-NXH (c/n 9227).
The Super Pumas, serials TY-39H, TY-41H and TY-42H, are all ex Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF). These Super Pumas were delivered as airfreight by Maximus Airlines An-124-100 UR-ZYD from Amman to Benin on 28 June 2023. The tie-up of the Super Pumas is not known yet, but each helicopter has a unique camouflage pattern. Therefore identification should be possible.
The new helicopters are operated by the Escadrille d'Hélicoptères (EdH) at Cotonou/Cadjehoun.
Photo via Benin Air Force