Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to purchase 12 helicopters worth approximately 150 million euros, funded through the EU’s SAFE program. The deal includes seven H160 and five H145 aircraft, intended to bolster crisis management, civil protection, medical missions, and border security.
The acquisition will be coordinated by the General Inspectorate of Aviation in cooperation with the Department for Emergency Situations within the ministry. According to the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the new rotorcraft will significantly enhance national capabilities in managing emergencies and protecting civilian populations.
Technical specifications of the ordered helicopters
The H160 can carry up to 12 people, with a useful load of about two tons, a cruising speed of 290 km/h, a range of 850 km, and a flight endurance of roughly four hours. The smaller H145 offers ten seats, can be partially configured for patient transport or disaster victims, and has a cruising speed of 240 km/h, a range of 650 km, and a flight time of up to three hours.
The contract value – depending on the technical equipment – is estimated at 150 million euros. Deliveries are expected to strengthen Romania’s response capabilities in both routine and extreme situations.
Romania’s broader use of the SAFE program
Under the SAFE program, Romania secured 16.6 billion euros in total. Of that amount, 5.7 billion euros has already been allocated to German defense conglomerate Rheinmetall for combat vehicles, air defense systems, and ammunition. The helicopter purchase is part of a wider effort to modernize the country’s security infrastructure using EU funds.
– This investment allows us to better protect our citizens and borders while improving emergency response – said a representative of the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The SAFE program, officially named the European Peace Facility, has been used by several EU member states to finance defense and security projects. Romania’s latest order underscores the program’s role in supporting civilian and military preparedness across the bloc.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Coldstreamer40 / wikimedia commons / CC 4.0 BY-SA
