Russian Helicopters has handed over a batch of 18 light multirole Ansat helicopters to the Republic of Zimbabwe, which will form the basis of the ambulance aviation of this African state. Each helicopter is equipped with a full set of medical equipment for resuscitation and emergency care, the holding’s press service said.
A number of contracts were signed with the republic in 2022 to supply civilian Mi-17 and Ansat helicopters to key federal agencies in Zimbabwe. In addition to supplying helicopters, Russia shares the successful experience of the National Air Ambulance Service (NASA), which has been operating effectively for many years. The jointly established sanaviation programme will be the first of its kind on the African continent. Sixty Russian-made helicopters will be delivered to the Republic of Zimbabwe by 2025.
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa recalled that Russia had handed over the first Ansat helicopter and ambulance to his country during the visit of the Russian delegation to the African republic in autumn 2022.
“We intend to further develop our collaboration. Rescuing people, emergency medical care skills are a great reason to strengthen the partnership and friendship of our two countries. These helicopters will form the backbone of Zimbabwe’s modern medical aviation fleet, and will help to swiftly tackle the challenging tasks that sometimes arise during natural disasters in the republic,” Emmerson Mnangagwa stressed.
The experience of establishing the first air ambulance service on the African continent will be presented during the Second Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum to be held on 26-29 July in St Petersburg, Russia.
