SAFE provides financial support for urgent defence investments by EU member states. It focuses on closing capability gaps and supporting European defence industry.
“We are honoured that Romania has chosen the H225M to strengthen its defence capabilities,” said Matthieu Louvot, chief executive of Airbus Helicopters. “This selection will also bolster Romania’s industrial capabilities through our long term partnership with IAR, Romania’s sole helicopter manufacturer.”
Louvot said the purchase would bring Romania into the H225M operator community. “We are proud to welcome Romania within the growing H225M community, establishing the H225M as a key asset of Europe’s defence,” he added.
The Romanian Air Force currently flies the IAR-330 Puma, produced locally under an Aerospatiale licence. The H225Ms will start its replacement, while Romania has also previously ordered two H215Ms in naval configuration.
This is Romania’s second contract with Airbus Helicopters under SAFE. The country recently ordered seven H160s and five H145s for public service missions.
Airbus has been present in Romania for more than 20 years across its helicopter, defence and space, and commercial aircraft businesses. Its helicopter customer centre supports Romanian Airbus fleets and provides services to export customers.
The defence and space business supplies secure communications and systems engineering services. The commercial aircraft business manufactures strategic parts.
Airbus said more than 350 H225 and H225M helicopters are in service worldwide. Together, they have accumulated more than one million flight hours.
The company lists 12 existing H225M customers: Brazil, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand. It said the helicopter has operated in combat conditions and crisis areas around the world.
