Air International 2021-04
S.Rivas - Cracking the drug cartels
The force is expected to receive three of the 20 Agusta Bell AB-206Bs that the Argentine Army purchased from the Italian government, in exchange for the Huey 2s. Despite two already being sent to Campo de Mayo, together with one for the coast guard (which should receive two), they have not been accepted. The issue is that the helicopters cannot be certified to civil standards. Their fate is unknown
Four Bell UH-1Hs were purchased to be converted into Huey 2s, but when the first two were delivered they were not accepted. Instead, they went to the Army
Part of the Gendarmeria fleet seen in front of their hangar at Campo de Mayo Airfield, where the AW169, the two Turbo Porters, the EC135, two Ecureuils and one PC-12 can be seen. The force currently operates a small but efficient fleet to operate in difficult areas where there is not much infrastructure
The helicopter fleet of the Gendarmerie Nacional comprises mainly Airbus and Leonardo types. The AW169, seen at the front of this formation, is the largest helicopter of the force, bought to replace the Huey 2s that failed conversion
Three Leonardo AW119 Koalas were the last new-built helicopters acquired. With more cargo capacity and range, they're considered better than the Ecureuils for covering the long distances in Argentina
Cessna 152s are used for training and liaison. Usually they operate from Campo de Mayo, but can deploy to bases all over the country
A pair of Pilatus PC-12s of Argentina’s Gendarmeria Nacional crime-fighting force. The aircraft's speed is crucial for operations in such a vast country.