El Salvador sending six MD500s to Mali to support UN mission

Peacekeepers serving in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission Mali (MINUSMA) are now provided with aerial fire support from German Tiger attack helicopters. Once the German troops depart, the role will be taken over by El Salvador with six MD500 helicopters.

Dutch MINUSMA troops, UN mission Mali 01
By Ministry of Defence, Netherlands [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Canada will also be contributing four armed CH-146 Griffon helicopters but their mission is to escort the other two CH-47s that Canada is sending to Mali. Thus, the UN would like to have the Griffon support light transport missions with the MD500 providing escort.