French medium transport helicopter providing Bolivian armed forces with heavy-lift rotary-wing capability. Bolivia operates AS332 Super Puma (also known as Cougar in military variant) procured from France. Features twin turbine engines, capacity for 20+ troops or cargo, external sling for heavy loads, proven reliability, excellent high-altitude performance. Employed for troop transport, logistics support, medical evacuation, disaster relief, VIP transport. French technology provides proven reliable platform combat-proven globally. Critical for Bolivian operations given challenging terrain and limited infrastructure especially in mountain and jungle regions. However, operating costs high compared to smaller helicopters. Represents Bolivian priority for capable transport platform. French support enables continued operations. Symbolizes European helicopter industry export success even to smaller Latin American nations.
- Reliable and proven medium-lift helicopter
- Good performance at Bolivia high altitudes
- Versatile: troop transport, VIP, SAR, humanitarian
- Western build quality with global support network
- Aging platform; spare parts increasingly expensive
- No combat capability
- Limited fleet size in Bolivian service
- Maintenance infrastructure challenging for a Western platform in Bolivia
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