Months ago, Zona Militar reported that the Uruguayan Ministry of Defense had been working diligently and at an accelerated pace to acquire an Agusta Bell AB-412 helicopter, following the political decision made by the senior leadership of the military body. The intention was for the purchase to be completed under President Lacalle Pou’s administration, allowing the new aircraft to arrive in 2025—coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Naval Aviation branch. However, inexplicably, due to bureaucratic delays, the procurement file never left the Ministry of Defense to receive the acting president’s signature.
This setback was a heavy blow for the Navy, considering that both the political decision and the necessary budget allocation—always difficult to secure—had already been achieved. Naturally, this raised uncertainty about what might happen under the incoming government of the Frente Amplio, led by President Yamandú Orsi and Defense Minister Sanda Lazo. There were also concerns about how the Italian company Leonardo would react, as negotiations had started a year earlier.
Nevertheless, there was cautious optimism within the Navy, given that the process to acquire Agusta Bell 412 helicopters had originally begun under the previous Frente Amplio government, which had planned to purchase three helicopters but only managed to secure two due to budgetary constraints. That optimism was confirmed this week when President Yamandú Orsi authorized the acquisition of what will become the Navy’s third helicopter of this class. The next step will involve resuming and fine-tuning the long-standing negotiation with Leonardo.
It is worth noting that this acquisition takes place in a more favorable context compared to the previous ones—not only because of the improved capabilities and equipment of the new unit, but also due to a more competitive price offer available on the market, something the current Ministry of Defense authorities quickly recognized.
The Agusta Bell 412 has proven to be the optimal aircraft for operational tasks required by the growing maritime activity—both legal and illegal—across Uruguay’s extensive maritime territory.
Operational efficiency will also improve, as doctrine dictates that maintaining at least three aircraft of the same type maximizes operational and logistical performance by reducing per-unit flight costs, simplifying training, and extending the service life of the fleet through a rotational usage system.
Additionally, these helicopters will serve as the organic air units operating from the decks of the new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) currently under construction at the Cardama shipyard in Spain.
This marks the first major acquisition of strategically valuable equipment made under the initiative of the current administration for the Uruguayan Armed Forces. It is also noteworthy that this addition benefits the Navy—an institution that has had ongoing tensions with the government’s leadership since the beginning of its term, as previously reported by Zona Militar.
*Images used for illustrative purposes – Zona Militar
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