Portugal approves Alouette successor

THE PORTUGUESE government has authorised the purchase of five helicopters to replace the Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) fleet of Alouette IIIs, which has been operated for more than 50 years. The order, signed by the defence minister, authorises the purchase of five helicopters plus two options, training, spare parts and support material, with a base price of €20.5m, using funds registered in the Military Programming Law. The type has not yet been chosen, but the helicopters are