Romania orders 12 H225M helicopters through SAFE to replace its Pumas

Romania has ordered 12 Airbus H225M military helicopters to begin replacing its Puma fleet in conventional and special operations missions, Airbus announced on October 7. The contract was concluded with the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) under the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument for financing urgent defence investments.

“We are honoured that Romania has chosen the H225M to strengthen its defence capabilities,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. He added that the choice would also strengthen Romanian industry through the long-standing partnership with IAR, the country’s only helicopter manufacturer.

The end of the IAR-330

The Romanian Air Force currently operates IAR-330 Pumas, built in Romania under licence from Aerospatiale. Romania has also already ordered two H215M helicopters in a naval configuration. This is its second contract with Airbus Helicopters through SAFE, after the order for seven H160s and five H145s for public service missions.

According to Airbus, more than 350 H225 and H225M helicopters are in service worldwide, with over one million flight hours. Romania becomes the 13th customer for the H225M, after Brazil, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand.