Portugal Transfers Eight SA-330 Puma Helicopters to Ukraine as Military Aid

Portugal provided Ukraine with eight SA-330 Puma helicopters as part of its military assistance package at the end of 2024. The transfer was officially documented in a report detailing Portugal’s aid to Ukraine and was later confirmed by the country’s Defense Minister Nuno Melo on March 9.

The helicopters had been placed in storage in 2012 and were put up for sale in flight-ready condition in 2014.

One notable feature of the Portuguese SA-330 Puma is its advanced fire control system, which enables the deployment of Exocet  anti-ship missiles.

The helicopters are equipped with an ORB-31 X-band radar system in the nose section, which can be configured for various helicopter models. This radar is used for surface target detection, identification, weather monitoring, navigation, and fire control, allowing for strikes on both surface and underwater targets.

Like the British and German Sea King helicopters, the Portuguese Puma fleet is aging, having been in service from 1970 to 2009.

These helicopters saw active use in North Africa during colonial wars and were primarily employed for troop transport and search-and-rescue missions both in overseas territories and on the mainland.

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While these Pumas may not be frontline attack helicopters, their ability to support naval operations and search-and-rescue efforts could still provide Ukraine with valuable operational flexibility.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukrainian Sea King helicopters will receive new equipment from the United Kingdom and Germany. They will be armed with modern missiles as outlined in the defense agreement known as the Trinity House Agreement.

“In the short term, we will fully equip Ukraine with new defensive capabilities and arm the Sea King helicopters provided by Germany with modern missile systems,” the statement reads.

Last year, Germany announced the delivery of six decommissioned Sea King MK41 helicopters to Ukraine. These are rescue and search helicopters with limited offensive capabilities, equipped with 12.7 mm machine guns.