The Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic have announced the purchase of six Bell 407s, split equally between the Argentine Army and Air Force.

Administrative Decision No. DECAD-2023-68-APN-JGM approving the purchase was of six Bell 407 GXi helicopters for a total consideration of $32.4 million. This figure includes training and instruction for both aircrew and ground engineers, manuals, tooling and other ground support equipment.

The purchase contract was signed on 21st December at the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence in Buenos Aires.

This follows a tender in which Airbus bid with the H145 and Hindustan Aeronautics offering their LUH.

The procurement was raised in response to a need to replace the aging SA315B Lama for mountainous missions. The Lama replacement has been in progress for over ten years, repeatedly stalled by lack of funds. The application of a new FONDEF (National Defense Fund) Law made it possible to move ahead.