France acquires 42 new H145 helicopters

On behalf of the Ministry of Interior, the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA, Armament General Directorate) placed an order for 42 new H145M twin-engine light utility helicopters, with delivery scheduled to begin in 2024.

This contract is part of the loi d'orientation et de programmation du ministère de l'intérieur (LOPMI, Ministry of the Interior Orientation and Programming law). The 42 H145s will support the Gendarmerie Nationale and Sécurité Civile, the French emergency response and rescue agency. The contract includes an option for a further 22 H145s for the Gendarmerie Nationale, a range of support and service solutions from training to spare parts, and a complete initial support package for the aircraft.

First, between 2024 and 2028, 36 new aircraft will be acquired, revitalising the civil security park. The Sécurité Civile currently operates four five-bladed H145s, ordered in 2020 and 2021. The 36 H145s will progressively replace the 33 EC145s operating in France for rescue and air medical transport services.

The new H145M helicopters will have a water bomber capacity of nearly 1.000 litres, which will allow the Sécurité Civile to have an immediate attack capability for emerging fires throughout the territory, while waiting for the aircraft to be deployed by the Emergency Management and Crisis Management Branch (CSCB).

For the Gendarmerie Nationale, six helicopters will be delivered between 2025 and 2028. These are initially destined for the Gendarmerie air sections (SAG) of Amiens and Chamonix, then Cayenne in South America. The six H145s will initiate the renewal of the Gendarmerie's fleet, composed of Ecureuils, EC135s, and EC145s. They will have an electro-optical system and a mission computer to perform the most demanding law enforcement missions. The Gendarmerie Nationale has already acquired ten H160 medium utility helicopters, and the first H160s will be deliverd this year.

Certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in June 2020, the new version of Airbus' best-selling H145 helicopter brings a new, innovative five-bladed rotor to the multi-mission helicopter, increasing the useful load by 150 kg while delivering new levels of comfort, simplicity, and connectivity. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 has full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite. It includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. Its low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class.

Credit photo/images: Jean François Auran and Airbus Helicopters