European countries continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine, including the transfer of decommissioned military equipment. A noteworthy example comes from Portugal, which announced that in the fourth quarter of the previous year, it supplied the Ukrainian Armed Forces with eight Aérospatiale SA 330L Puma helicopters. Originally acquired in 1969, these transport helicopters underwent modernization in the 1980s, re-designated as SA 330S1, but have not been updated since and were retired in 2011. The Portuguese Ministry of Defense had initially attempted to sell these helicopters but found no buyers before ultimately deciding to donate them. However, before being operationally integrated into the Ukrainian military, these helicopters will likely require significant repairs. This transfer underscores a strategic shift towards utilizing legacy systems to equip Ukraine, reflecting both the pressing needs of the current conflict and the challenges surrounding the sustainability of older military assets.
