The United Kingdom is set to transfer eight to ten Puma HC.2 helicopters to Ukraine, reinforcing Kyiv’s military capabilities amid ongoing Russian aggression. These helicopters, recently retired from Royal Air Force (RAF) service, were officially decommissioned in March 2025 after more than five decades of operational use.
The Puma HC.2s served primarily with the RAF’s 33rd and 230th Squadrons, where they were deployed in East Asia and other critical missions. Known as the RAF’s “workhorses,” these helicopters played vital roles in conflicts including the Falklands War, Gulf War, and peacekeeping operations in Iraq, Yugoslavia, and Mozambique.
Between 2007 and 2015, the UK invested £260 million to upgrade 24 Puma HC.1 helicopters to the HC.2 standard. The modernisation included more powerful Turbomeca Makila engines, advanced avionics, enhanced protection systems, and increased fuel capacity. Despite their age, the HC.2 variants remain capable transport helicopters, able to carry 16 troops or six medical stretchers.
| Puma HC.2 Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
| Capacity | 16 troops / 6 stretchers |
| Max Speed | 300 km/h |
| Range | 580 km (1,500 km with extra tanks) |
| Engines | 2 × Turbomeca Makila 1A1 (1,800 hp each) |
The helicopters were given a ceremonial farewell flight on 26 March, passing over key RAF bases before being retired. Their transfer follows Portugal’s delivery of eight SA 330 Pumas to Ukraine in late 2024, further bolstering Kyiv’s aerial logistics.
