Portugal has transferred 6 Ka-32 firefighting helicopters to Ukraine

Portugal’s Ministry of National Defence (MDN) said the latest transport took place "after a long period of uncertainty and negotiations."

The publication also recalls that in October 2022, Defence Minister Helena Carreiras announced that the country would send six Russian firefighting helicopters to Ukraine that did not have a license to operate in Portugal. Moreover, one of them failed due to an accident.

In November 2023, more than a year after the transfer to Ukraine was announced, the helicopters were still in Portugal, with the previous government saying it was awaiting "instructions from the Ukrainian partner regarding the next steps in this process."

"After a long period of uncertainty and negotiations, the current government, through the MDN together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, agreed on the transportation of helicopters with the Ukrainian authorities, in particular with the Embassy of Ukraine in Lisbon and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine," the statement released on September 7 reads.

It is noted that Ukraine agreed to accept the helicopters in their current condition, i.e. without prior repairs. The publication also added that the helicopters were purchased by the Portuguese government in 2006.