Airbus Helicopters Secures Romanian Contract for 12 Multirole Aircraft Under EU SAFE Initiative

Airbus H160 & H145

Image: Airbus

Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for 12 multirole helicopters. The order comprises seven H160 and five H145 aircraft, falling under the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, which aims to bolster civil protection and emergency response frameworks across member states.

Romania’s General Inspectorate of Aviation will operate the new fleet under the coordination of the Ministry’s Department for Emergency Situations (DSU). The aircraft will modernise national capacity across emergency management, civil protection, and public order enforcement.

The H160 fleet carries a dual mission profile, with four aircraft supporting civil protection and disaster relief and three covering public order, aerial surveillance, and tactical security. All five H145 helicopters serve Romania’s Emergency Medical Rescue Service (SMURD) and mountain rescue units, conducting rapid medical interventions, specialist evacuations, and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.

Matthieu Louvot, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Helicopters, commented: “The selection of both the H160 and the H145 highlights the unique capability of our product range to deliver an integrated, highly efficient response to complex missions.” He added: “Romania is significantly enhancing its operational readiness, reducing emergency reaction times, and positioning itself as a robust contributor to European integrated rescue and security mechanisms.”

As per a recent press statement, the H145 uses Safran Arriel 2E engines, full authority digital engine control (FADEC), and the Helionix avionics suite with a four-axis autopilot. More than 1,800 examples have accumulated over 8.5 million flight hours globally. The H160 features the same Helionix suite alongside Blue Edge rotor blades and a canted Fenestron tail rotor, reducing perceived noise by up to 50% and cutting fuel burn by 18%.

Airbus has maintained a presence in Romania for over 20 years across helicopters, defence, and commercial aircraft manufacturing operations.

Source: Airbus

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