Airbus Helicopters Delivers Panthers to Mexico; Continues HForce Testing | Aviation International News

Airbus Helicopters Delivers Panthers to Mexico; Continues HForce Testing

The company handed over the last pair of ten AS565MBe helos to the Mexican Navy, and fired weapons from an H145M

The Mexican Navy was the launch customer for the AS565MBe version of the Panther. (Photo: Anthony Pecchi via Airbus Helicopters)

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

December 7, 2017

Airbus Helicopters delivered the last two of ten AS565MBe Panthers that it has produced for the Mexican Navy in a ceremony in Marseilles. In 2014, this service was the launch customer for the MBe version. Separately, Airbus Helicopters recently reported progress toward qualifying the weapons package that it has branded as “HForce,” on the smaller H145M helicopter.

“The arrival of the MBe Panther has enhanced the navy's aviation operational capabilities,” said Admiral Jose Maria Garcia Macedo, the Mexican navy’s general director of naval aviation. “We can use it in both maritime and land environments for a wide range of missions, including maritime SAR, disaster relief, external load operations, and even air ambulance.”

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