On 13 January 2021, the Lebanese Army reported that the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Joseph Aoun, had inspected a helicopter, Type 212 – Agusta Bell AB, which the Air Force had rehabilitated to be back in service after a cessation of flying since 1990.
The commander Auon also inspected another helicopter, Type Puma, which had also undergone major maintenance locally. The statement added that local maintenance had saved the Lebanese Army half the cost. The Lebanese Army performs maintenance of such helicopters every 15 years and usually done by the manufacturer, which is costly.
The Lebanese Army published a video, in which Aoun had said praised the efforts made by the Air Force officers and technicians to complete the project and return two helicopters to service within two years, despite of their modest financial capabilities. Type 212 – Agusta bell AB helicopter was built under licence by Agusta in Italy. The aircraft can be used for civil or military transportation and was produced in small numbers in the early 1960s.