An124 Used To Deploy Additional Helicopters To Chad

An An124-100 of Antonov Airlines has been used by the French military to transport two specially equipped Gazelle helicopters to Chad to boost its rotorcraft detachment there.

The Gazelle helicopters, part of the 3rd Helicopter Regiment, are fitted with special reconnaissance and command and control capabilities, according to the French Ministry of Defence.

After arriving in N’Djamena the Gazelles have joined the multinational army aviation battalion based in Abeche. The unit supports EUFOR peacekeepers in the eastern part of Chad.

The French detachment now includes four Pumas and four Gazelles. EUFOR also can draw on three Polish Mil Mi-17s and two Ukrainian Mi-8s on lease to the Irish military.

When helicopters are deployed in this way the An124 is almost invariably the method of transport as it allows the machines to be left fully assembled and ready for work with minimum delay after arrival.