Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs for 12 multirole helicopters: seven H160s and five H145s, in a deal aimed at modernizing the country’s emergency management, civil protection, and public order capabilities.
The order, which was announced on June 10, 2026, is part of the European initiative Security Action for Europe (SAFE), a program designed to strengthen civil protection, emergency response, and public safety frameworks across the continent.
This significant investment is part of the European initiative Security Action for Europe (SAFE), which aims to strengthen European civil protection, emergency response, and public safety frameworks. #ILA2026 https://t.co/5VOHOnrmw2
— Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) June 10, 2026
How the H160 and H145 helicopters will be used
The fleet will be operated by the Ministry’s General Inspectorate of Aviation under the coordination of the Department for Emergency Situations.
Of the seven H160s, four will be dedicated to civil protection and disaster relief missions, while three will support public order, aerial surveillance, and tactical security operations.
All five H145s will go to Romania’s emergency rescue service SMURD and mountain rescue operations, serving as the primary aircraft for rapid emergency medical response, specialized medical evacuations, and search-and-rescue missions.
“We are deeply honored by the trust that the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs has placed in Airbus,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “By deploying these advanced platforms under the SAFE program, Romania is significantly enhancing its operational readiness, reducing emergency reaction times, and positioning itself as a robust contributor to European integrated rescue and security mechanisms.”
H160 and H145: advanced platforms built for demanding missions
The H160 is one of the most technologically advanced helicopters in production. It is equipped with the Helionix avionics suite for enhanced situational awareness and reduced pilot workload, and powered by Safran Arrano engines that deliver an 18% reduction in fuel burn compared to previous designs. Its Blue Edge main rotor blades and canted Fenestron tail rotor cut perceived noise by up to 50%, giving it an advantage in public service missions where discretion matters.
The H145 is a widely used twin-engine helicopter with more than 1,800 airframes in service globally, logging over 8.5 million flight hours. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines with full authority digital engine control, it is considered the quietest helicopter in its class and has the lowest CO2 emissions among its competitors.
Airbus in Romania
Airbus has been present in Romania for over 20 years across its three business divisions. Its operations in the country include a Helicopters customer center, which generates roughly 75% of its revenue from export contracts, a Defence and Space unit providing secure communications and systems engineering, and a manufacturing operation producing parts for Airbus commercial aircraft.