The government of Romania has signed a contract for 12 Airbus H225M multirole military helicopters, concluded with the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) under the European Commission’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, which provides financial support to EU member states to speed up defence readiness and close critical capability gaps. “We are honoured that Romania has chosen the H225M to strengthen its defence capabilities. This selection will also bolster Romania’s industrial capabilities through our long term partnership with IAR, Romania’s sole helicopter manufacturer,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “We are proud to welcome Romania within the growing H225M community, establishing the H225M as a key asset of Europe’s defence,” he added.

Airbus has been present in Romania for more than twenty years through its three businesses: Airbus Helicopters’ customer centre supports Romanian Airbus fleets and export customers, Airbus Defence and Space provides secure communications and systems engineering services, and Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft business manufactures strategic parts. The Romanian Air Force currently operates the IAR-330 Puma, a locally produced version built under an Aerospatiale licence; the 12 H225Ms will begin replacing the Puma fleet for conventional and special operations, following Romania’s earlier order of two H215Ms in naval configuration. This is the second contract signed by Romania and Airbus Helicopters under the SAFE initiative, after seven H160s and five H145s were recently ordered for public services missions.

Airbus says the H225M has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas worldwide, with more than 350 H225s and H225Ms in service, together totalling more than one million flight hours; its customers include Brazil, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand.