
The US government has donated four refurbished Bell UH-1N helicopters to Costa Rica that will be used by the Aerial Surveillance Service of the country’s Security Ministry.
The helicopters arrived at San José Airport on 8 March on board a US Air Force C-17 transport and will reinforce Costa Rica’s small helicopter fleet of four MD500s and two MD600s.
The UH-1Ns will primarily be used on counter-narcotics operations to fight Costa Rica’s growing problem with drug trafficking but will also be available for humanitarian missions.
The donation also includes training for pilots and ground personnel.