Paraguay’s Air Force received four Bell UH-1H – nicknamed Huey – helicopters, a donation from the Republic of China (Taiwan), significantly boosting its operational and logistical capabilities. The handover ceremony took place at the Air Force base in Luque, with President Santiago Peña, and other national and military officials in attendance.
The UH-1H is one of the most iconic models in the UH-1 Iroquois family, and is widely referred to as the Huey, especially due to its extensive use during the Vietnam War.
Enhanced Air Force capabilities
Commander of the Paraguayan Air Force (FAP), Julio Fullaondo, highlighted the significance of this donation, stating that this was the first time the country had received four helicopters in a single donation. He emphasised the strong and growing relationship between Paraguay and Taiwan, referring to the two nations as ‘brother countries’.
Fullaondo also noted that the helicopters had undergone maintenance and refurbishment by a Taiwanese company, culminating in successful test flights by FAP pilots. He assured that the aircrafts are in excellent condition for operation, equipped with night vision systems, thus enhancing operational flexibility.
With the addition of these four helicopters to the existing four in service, Paraguay’s helicopter air group will now have eight operational UH-1H helicopters for the first time in FAP’s 37-year history. This substantial increase will considerably improve operational capacity, according to Fullaondo.
Four Huey helicopters for diverse missions
The multi-purpose helicopters are designed for a variety of missions. These include counter-narcotics operations, combating organised crime, fighting forest fires, conducting aeromedical evacuations in remote areas, and transporting cargo and personnel.
Taiwanese Ambassador to Paraguay, José Chih-Cheng Han, underscored President Peña’s commitment to strengthening Paraguay’s armed forces, bolstering internal security and enhancing border protection. Han stated that Taiwan, as a friend of Paraguay, is honoured to support this important effort, adding that this cooperation has been carried out in close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and the FAP, with the goal of strengthening the armed forces’ work.
Continuing cooperation
This helicopter delivery is part of ongoing military cooperation between Paraguay and Taiwan. Ambassador Han concluded by expressing a belief in the sincere friendship between the two nations and a desire to continue on the path of prosperity and well-being as true friends, facing challenges together and working on mutually beneficial new collaborations.
At the commemorative Taiwan-Paraguay 68 Conference, held in Asunción recently, the nations celebrated the 68th anniversary of diplomatic relations between them.
