SINGAPORE - The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has started taking delivery of the improved H225M medium-lift helicopters in Singapore, meant to progressively replace the Super Puma workhorses that have been in service since 1983. In a Facebook post on Monday (March 29), the RSAF said it will be conducting flight tests and training on the H225M helicopters, which are manufactured by European planemaker Airbus. "When operationalised, the H225M helicopters will take over the roles of the Super Pumas," the RSAF added. A Mindef spokesman told The Straits Times earlier this month in response to queries that the RSAF will start taking delivery of three helicopters in the coming months. The H225M has about 20 per cent longer range capability than the AS332M Super Pumas, and will complement the CH-47 helicopters to meet the Singapore Armed Forces' lift requirements for a wide spectrum of operations, said the RSAF. This includes aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and maritime security operations. In a statement on Monday, Airbus Helicopters chief executive Bruno Even said the delivery was "exceptionally significant", as Airbus and ...