Bolivian Army Buys 6 Chinese H425 Helicopters

Bolivia signed a deal Dec. 22 to buy six Chinese H425 helicopters for its army, at a ceremony attended by Bolivian ministers and Beijing's ambassador, local media reported.

Foreign minister Carlos Romero and planning minister Viviana Caro signed the accord with China's diplomatic representative in La Paz, Shen Zhiliang, in the presence of army chiefs.

"We believe these helicopters are crucial for the diverse needs of our military," said army chief Antonio Cueto.

The 12-seater aircraft will be delivered in 2012 and will also be used for civil defense, officials said.

Bolivia ordered six K-8 fighter aircraft from China in January to help its fight against drug traffickers as part of cooperation accord between the two countries.


Source: La Paz, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE - 22 December 2011 - xxxx News (www.xxx.com)

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Bolivia and China signed an agreement on Wednesday to purchase six H-425 helicopters to strengthen the state''s armed forces and provide immediate aid in case of natural disasters.

According to the state-owned TV Bolivia, China's ambassador in La Paz, Shen Zhiliang, highlighted the cooperation projects between the two countries and the five lines of credit granted to Bolivia for about 300 million dollars.

The agreements cover gas pipelines, aircraft, road construction machinery, drills and helicopters.

Zhiliang also highlighted the broad bilateral ties and said that economic and trade relations now exceed 500 million dollars.

China and Bolivia have expanded areas of cooperation projects of economic and technical assistance to the fields of mining, energy, transportation, infrastructure, high technology and cultural exchange, Zhiliang said.

President Evo Morales highlighted China's cooperation and the Bolivian government's willingness to strengthen its armed forces, which, at the same time, will benefit Bolivian society.

Defense Minister Ruben Saavedra said that the six multipurpose H-425 helicopters, with a capacity for twelve people, will also support the civil defense tasks of search, rescue and evacuation of victims of natural disasters.

(Photo by www.military.people.com.cn)

(22.12.2011)