On several accounts on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), a photo has surfaced showing four helicopters at Mogadishu Airport, Somalia. These helicopters were incorrectly identified as Agusta Bell AB.412s, but they are actually believed to be AB-205 models. They are said to be of Italian origin, donated by the Italian government to the Somali government.
The 4 Bell 412 multipurpose military choppers donated to Somalia by Italy. pic.twitter.com/IpKDeQfUMO
— Rashid Abdi (@RAbdiAnalyst) August 30, 2024
If this is the case (no official information on the matter has been found on Italian government websites), the helicopters are likely four Agusta Bell AB.205s, previously used by the Italian Army (the paint scheme seems to confirm this). These helicopters could potentially be used by the Somali government in counterinsurgency operations against the Islamist movement Al-Shabaab.
It is unclear whether this delivery (which appears to be the most significant since the arms embargo on Somalia was lifted) will be followed by others or where the training of Somali pilots took place.