Romania to acquire 12 Airbus helicopters under EU SAFE program

The Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for twelve new multi‑role helicopters – seven H160 heavy‑lift aircraft and five lighter H145 machines. The purchase, valued at roughly €280 million (estimates range between €150‑280 million), is funded through the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme.

The fleet will be operated by the General Inspectorate of Aviation under the Department for Emergency Situations. Four H160s are earmarked for civil‑protection and disaster‑relief missions, three for public‑order, aerial surveillance and tactical security, while all five H145s will serve the SMURD emergency‑medical service and mountain‑rescue operations. Airbus CEO Matthieu Louvot said the deal “significantly improves Romania’s operational readiness and reduces emergency‑response times”.

The contract also highlights Airbus’s two‑decade presence in Romania and parallels other SAFE‑funded acquisitions, such as German‑made Rheinmetall equipment for the Romanian armed forces.