From 15 to 25 July, the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) participated in a joint United Nations (UN) - African Union (AU) Advisory and Assessment Inspection of two Mi-8 utility and two AB-412 attack helicopters of the Aviation Unit of Burundi to be deployed in Somalia under the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The exercise was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and in Kampala, Uganda, respectively.

The inspection covered a physical examination of the condition of the external surfaces of the aircrafts, cockpits, safety equipment and passenger cabins. It included an inventory and assessment of the conditions of navigation, engine instruments and other aircraft systems. The team verified the information on the technical specifications and characteristics of the aircrafts as contained in the Statement of Unit Requirements (SURs) for utility and attack helicopters. It found that all the major components of the aircrafts, such as engines, main rotors and tail rotors have enough hours to be deployed.

In particular, the two AB-412 attack helicopters inspected were found to be airworthy, in line with the SUR and the requirements of the ATMIS force. They will be deployable after the signature of the Letter of Assist (LoA). The two Mi-8 helicopters were also found airworthy, but it was advised that they would need to be fitted with additional protective equipment in order to initiate the LoA negotiations. A pre-deployment verification visit will be scheduled by the end of November should the LoA process be successfully launched.