The government of Zimbabwe has taken delivery of a “specialised” medical helicopter and an ambulance from Russia which will be used by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The helicopter was reportedly recently received by State security agents at Manyame Airbase in Harare under strict orders that the event should not be made public.
An anonymous source close to procurement and delivery of the aircraft told NewsDay:
We can confirm that President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa received a specialised medical helicopter and an ambulance. It was donated to him by Russia.
A Russian website last week confirmed the deal saying:
The rescue services of Zimbabwe received an Ansat ambulance helicopter and an ambulance, Rossiyskaya Gazeta writes. They were handed over by the Russia delegation during a visit to the African State.
Alexander Kozlov, head of the Russian Department of Natural Resources and Ecology, delivered congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko to Mnangagwa.
In turn, the President of Zimbabwe sincerely thanked the Russian authorities. He called the new equipment a real treasure, hoping that it will make medical services in the country much more accessible, they will be provided much faster and better.
The Russian website said the visit to Zimbabwe was timed to coincide with Mnangagwa’s 80th birthday celebrations.
Mnangagwa is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Harare has always sided with the Kremlin on key international issues discussed at the United Nations General Assembly.
The President visited Russia in 2019 as part of his official tour of Eurasia.
The development comes after reports that the president’s helicopter crashed several times in recent years.
The cost of the helicopter and ambulance is not known.