Russia Helicopters: Zimbabwe plans to establish SADC Medical Air ambulance hub

By Agencies and Own Correspondent

Zimbabwe is looking to create a regional hub for the deployment of air ambulances throughout Southern Africa, health and child care minister Douglas Mombeshora has told Russian media.

The initiative, according to the minister, would provide critical emergency care services throughout the region and further strengthen the long-standing healthcare cooperation between Moscow and Harare.

Zimbabwe, last year, sealed a controversial deal to buy 32 helicopters from Russia, with the first 18 received at a high profile event by with President Emmerson Mnangagwa who indicated that the choppers would be used for emergency services, tourism and air policing.

Media reports claimed that Harare was paying a total of US$320 million for the helicopters, giving an average unit price of US$10 million against estimates of between US$2.5 million and US$6 million by defence and military websites.

“Zimbabwe is under sanctions, we are constrained unlike our neighbours and the rest of the world to acquire the tools we need to mitigate the impact of cyclones and disasters in our region,” Mnangagwa said at the time.

More than a year later, the helicopters do not appear to have been deployed for service in the areas indicated by the government.

Critics also claimed that Russian may have been dumping the choppers after struggling to service them due to United States sanctions.

The Kazan Ansat helicopters have engines from Pratt & Whitney, a Canadian entity whose holding company is US-owned Raytheon Technologies.

“Russia dumped these on Zimbabwe quickly because they knew they would not be able to get engine support for them anymore,” Cox an expert in aviation and defence matters claimed on Twitter.

“Do they even have a viable replacement engine for this type? I would put money on Zimbabwe not being able to get engine support either.

“Honestly, this is probably the most bizarre helicopter purchase by an African nation (or any) I have seen in my lifetime.”

Meanwhile, Mombeshora highlighted in his interview with Russian media that the government is currently establishing a nationwide air ambulance service with Russian support, including training for pilots and medical professionals.

He also pointed out the recent purchase of Russian helicopters and the ongoing training of Zimbabwean pilots by Russian specialists.

The minister also emphasized the long-standing friendship between the two countries, dating back to before Zimbabwe’s independence, with Russia providing training for Zimbabwean pilots, doctors, and other professionals.

Looking to the future, the minister outlined his vision for expanded healthcare cooperation with Russia, including increasing the number of Zimbabwean students studying medicine in Russia.

He also proposed short courses for qualified professionals to gain access to advanced Russian medical knowledge and techniques.