DTN News: Colombia To Buy 9 Sikorsky Helicopters

DTN News: Colombia To Buy 9 Sikorsky Helicopters Source: DTN News / Reuters (NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - April 15, 2010: The Colombian government plans to expand its military aircraft fleet with the purchase of nine Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, Reuters reports. Officials said Colombia aimed to hand over an acceptance letter to Sikorsky in the coming months confirming its intentions. The helicopters would be paid for through a new wealth tax recently approved by the Colombian Congress, they said. Four of the helicopters would go to the Colombian police, four to the Army and the remaining helicopter would go to the Air Force, they said. The helicopters would be added to Colombia's existing fleet of Black Hawks, which have proven valuable in the country's long-running battles against drugs and FARC rebels.