On April 18, The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has taken delivery of an Airbus H215 helicopter. According to some undisclosed sources, the helicopter is intended to serve as VIP transport helicopter and replace the aged Cougar helicopter used to fly the President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The Airbus Helicopters H215 (formerly Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma) is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-size utility helicopter developed and marketed originally by Aérospatiale, later by Eurocopter and currently by Airbus Helicopters. It is a re-engined and more voluminous version of the original Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma.
The H215’s large interior accommodates 19 passengers comfortably or up to 22 troops, making it ideal for passenger transport. It can also be used for executive and VIP transport, with up to 12 seats, and as a corporate shuttle. As a head-of-state aircraft, cabin layouts can include front and rear lounges, galleys and lavatories, along with food service galleys.