Surinamese Minister of Justice and Police Kenneth Amoksi has recently visited the Airbus Helicopters production facility in France to discuss a potential purchase of two Airbus H125s for the Police in this South American company, according to reports from local media United News and De West

The purchase is to provide better coverage and significantly improved response times in the huge interior of Suriname. This area is principally . This news was announced last Wednesday evening at the government press conference.

The budget for this purchase is around $10 million, although the minister added “the plans to purchase the helicopters are ready, but the execution depends on the available finances”. Delivery was reported as 8-14 months from finance approval.

The announcement also highlighted Helibras, the Airbus subsidiary in neighbouring Brazil. This is expected to make the purchase and delivery costs of the helicopters attractive. No word was given as to whether other helicopter types were considered, or whether the country’s purchasing methodology required multiple offers to be considered.

The Suriname Police (“Korps Politie Suriname”) currently operates a BK117 with backup from a small military air corps as required.