Romania orders 12 Airbus helicopters to strengthen emergency response and security capabilities

The Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs has signed a major contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of 12 helicopters—seven Airbus H160 and five Airbus H145—under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.

The aircraft will be operated by Romania’s General Inspectorate of Aviation under the coordination of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU), supporting the modernisation of the country’s emergency management, civil protection, and public security capabilities.

Under the plan, four H160s will be assigned to civil protection and disaster-relief missions, while three will support law enforcement, aerial surveillance, and security operations. The five H145 helicopters will be dedicated to Romania’s SMURD emergency medical service and mountain rescue missions, providing rapid medical evacuation and search-and-rescue capabilities.

Airbus Helicopters CEO Matthieu Louvot described the order as a landmark multi-platform acquisition that will improve Romania’s operational readiness, reduce emergency response times, and strengthen its contribution to European rescue and security networks.

The H145 is widely used worldwide, with more than 1,800 aircraft in service and over 8.5 million flight hours accumulated. The H160, Airbus’s latest-generation medium helicopter, offers advanced avionics, lower fuel consumption, reduced noise levels, and enhanced mission flexibility.

The acquisition also reinforces Airbus’s long-standing presence in Romania, where the company has operated helicopter support, defence, and aerospace manufacturing activities for more than two decades. The deal represents a significant investment in Romania’s public safety infrastructure and one of the country’s most substantial recent helicopter procurements.