 In the 1990s, the Mexican navy started to acquire Russian-built aircraft and helicopters, including the Mil Mi-2, Mil Mi-8 and Antonov An-32B, also purchasing French, U.S. and German-made helicopters and the Finnish-built L-90 Redigo.In 1999 the Mexican navy started a programme to build kit-planes and light helicopters at Las Bajadas, Veracruz.In 2001 the Mexican naval aviation reported it had 118 aircraft, of which 68 were fixed-wing in 9 squadrons, and 50 helicopters in 9 squadrons, either land-based or on board ocean patrol boats and frigates.