medium transport helicopters. In 1999, the Eurocopter EC635 T1 was acquired for the light utility, anti-tank and reconnaissance role. The EC635 had been specifically developed by Eurocopter precisely to meet the Portuguese Army requirements for its light aviation unit. However, the EC635 program was cancelled in 2002 with the lack of a certification to fire HOT 2 anti-tank missiles and the delivery of the helicopters being cited as the official reason. In June 2001, the NHIndustries NH90 TTH was selected for the medium transport role. In 2004, the Portuguese government prepared to open a new competition for the acquisition of light helicopters for both the UALE and the Portuguese Air Force, to replace the Alouette III, but the competition was eventually cancelled. In June 2012, the Portuguese government officially announced that it would cancel the order of all ten NHI NH90 due to budget cuts, thus compromising the future of the UALE. Operational history The pilots and ground crews of the UALE underwent training with the Portuguese Air Force, with pilots undergoing flight training in the PoAF's Alouette III helicopters. The Army's pilot have also received training on the Eurocopter EC135 in the Spanish Army Airmobile Force. Between 2007 and 2012, under an agreement with EMA — Empresa de Meios Aéreos, S. A., a company owned by the Portuguese government, Army pilots flew EMA's Kamov Ka-32 helicopters in fire-fighting and other public interest missions for the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Administration. See also Army aviation Portuguese Air Force NHIndustries References Bibliography External links Unidade de Aviação Ligeira do Exército, official website Army aviation units and formations Army units and formations of Portugal Military units and formations established in 2000 Military units and formations disestablished in 2015 Portuguese Army