The Ecuadorian Navy has formally added two Bell Helicopters, models 407 and 430, from Textron Company to its Naval Aviation fleet.
These aircraft will be tasked with surveillance, intelligence, and coastal reconnaissance missions, especially in the island region and the northern frontier, where Ecuador’s military is persistently engaged against cross-border organized crime.
This procurement brings the total number of rotary-wing aircraft in the Naval Aviation unit to nine, supplementing six fixed-wing aircraft undertaking maritime exploration missions.
Notably, the Bell 430 can accommodate up to nine passengers, two stretchers, and necessary medical equipment.
This suggests potential use in Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) operations, facilitating search, rescue, and evacuation missions.