Helicopter ambulance arrives in Panama

A $ 10 million helicopter ambulance, the first of it’s kind in Panama, was delivered this week. The helicopter will be used in rescue and humanitarian aid missions.

The aircraft, a donation by the Italian contractor Finmeccanica, was part of an agreement dating back to the Ricardo Martinelli administration. The donation was in an attempt to resolve a conflict regarding their defense contract in which there were allegations of bribery.

The helicopter was presented earlier this year in Italy in a ceremony attended by the Vice President, Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado.

"It will be at the service of the Panamanian people," said Panama Ambassador to Italy Fernando Berguido, who negotiated the deal.