News
Ukraine to purchase 55 Airbus helicopters
July 18, 2018 By Helicopters Staff
Airbus Helicopters signed a contract with the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior for the purchase of 55 civil helicopters destined for search and rescue (SAR), public services, and emergency medical service (EMS) missions in the country. The deal comes after an Intergovernmental Agreement signed between France and Ukraine on June 8, 2018.
The 55 Airbus order was signed in Kiev on 14 July in the presence of Bruno Even The 55 aircraft include 21 repurposed H225s, and 10 new H145s and 24 H125. The contract was signed in Kiev on July 14 in the presence of Arsen Avakov, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Ukraine, and Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. Airbus forsees the agreement involving the setting up of a local training and maintenance centre.
The heavy twin-engine H225 aircraft ordered by Ukraine, for which the French State currently holds economic rights, will be repurposed to suit public services and search & rescue missions. The H225 features include a takeoff sequence of less than five minutes, an extra long-range capability with auxiliary fuel tanks, and what Airbus describes as its world-renowned autopilot and upper SAR modes. The first H225 helicopters are expected to land in Kiev before the end of 2018.
The Airbus H145 is the aircraft manufacturer’s latest member in its 4-tonne-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range. Airbus explains this helicopter’s small footprint and large, flexible cabin make it well suited for a variety of civil missions.
The H125 is a light single-engine helicopter that features a new flat floor that can be quickly reconfigured for various missions, including aerial work, firefighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, and passenger transport.
