The United States and Costa Rica formalized the donation of four UH-1ST helicopters to the Costa Rican Air Surveillance Agency (SVA) of the Ministry of Public Security.

With these helicopters, Costa Rican increases its capability to provide aerial support during maritime operations, as well as to provide direct support to the National Coast Guard Service and emergency care.

“This is another transformative step forward in Costa Rica’s capabilities for direct support of maritime operations – helping track down drug boats on the water so the Coast Guard can hunt them down – and for a significant expansion of the air service’s ability to respond to natural disasters, and provide emergency medical evacuation in Costa Rica’s most remote corners,” said U.S. Ambassador Sharon Day

The donation includes the four helicopters, their refurbishment, and training for the SVA officers that will be in charge of the aircrafts. The helicopters will arrive in Costa Rica once the renovation phase is complete which could last up to four months per helicopter.

The total value of this donation by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) is USD 43 million.

“With these aircrafts, the SVA will be able to cover more territory and respond efficiently in security operations, preventive patrolling and humanitarian assistance operations. It will also increase the capacity to transport personnel, provisions and provide rescue services in places of difficult access”, states the press release issued by the Ministry of Public Security.

The pilots and officials of SVA in charge of the helicopters will receive their training in Costa Rica before the aircrafts arrive to the country.

Also, this week and after months of training, the crew of the two 110 feet Libertador ships donated by the United States to Costa Rica arrived in Caldera, Puntarenas in command of the vessels. The United States Embassy in Costa Rica announced last week the donation of a third ship.