Textron Aviation has delivered two special-missions Cessna Grand Caravan EX airplanes to Fuerza Aérea Paraguaya (FAP), the Paraguayan air force, joining three other Grand Caravans in operation there. The new turboprop singles are expected to enter service in the second half of this year.

FAP uses the Grand Caravan for humanitarian, transport, and medical evacuation operations in Paraguay, according to Textron Aviation v-p of special missions sales Bob Gibbs. “The aircraft is engineered for challenging missions, high payloads, and short, rough runways while delivering single-engine economy and simplicity,” he said. “It is a perfect match for this mission throughout South America.”

The acquisition was financed by ITAIPU Binacional and managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services to increase the FAP’s ability to respond to humanitarian needs during emergencies.