On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, the European company Airbus Helicopters, part of Airbus SE, announced that it had signed an agreement with Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs for the purchase of 12 multi-role helicopters, comprising seven H160s and five H145s. This significant investment is part of the EU’s SAFE loan program (Security Action for Europe), which aims to strengthen European civil protection, crisis response, and public safety systems.
Photo: Airbus Helicopters
“We are deeply honoured by the trust that the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs has placed in Airbus to complement their aeronautical fleet through this landmark multi-platform order. The selection of both the H160 and the H145 highlights the unique capability of our product range to deliver an integrated, highly efficient response to complex missions,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “By deploying these advanced platforms under the SAFE programme, 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. We are fully committed to supporting their critical life-saving and public safety operations,” he added.
The modern fleet will be operated by the General Aviation Inspectorate (Inspectoratul General de Aviație) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, under the supervision of the Department for Emergency Situations (Departamentul pentru Situaţii de Urgenţă). The helicopters are intended to modernize Romania’s capabilities in integrated crisis management, civil protection, and maintaining public order.
The H160 fleet will provide strong multi-role capabilities. Four helicopters will be assigned to civil protection and disaster relief missions, while three will support public order operations, aerial surveillance, and tactical security missions.
All H145 helicopters will be assigned to Romania’s state rescue service SMURD (Serviciul Mobil de Urgență, Reanimare și Descarcerare) and to mountain rescue services. They will serve as the primary asset for rapid medical response, specialized medical evacuations, and complex SAR (search and rescue) missions (Another S-70i Black Hawk delivered to Romania).
Airbus has been present in Romania for more than 20 years through three areas of activity. Airbus Helicopters operates a customer support center that has been successful since its establishment, generating around 75% of its revenue from export contracts. Airbus Defence and Space provides comprehensive secure communications and systems engineering solutions, and also manufactures structural components for Airbus Commercial passenger aircraft.
There are currently more than 1,800 H145-family helicopters in service worldwide, which have collectively flown more than 8.5 million hours. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with FADEC (full authority digital engine control) and Helionix avionics. The helicopter features a high-performance four-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. Thanks to its exceptionally low noise level, the H145 is the quietest helicopter in its class, while its CO₂ emissions are among the lowest compared with competing designs (Airbus confirmed the sale of H145s to the Czech Republic).
The H160 is one of the most technologically advanced helicopters in the world. It was designed and built to provide the highest level of operational safety, long range, and a spacious cabin required for demanding multi-role missions. Equipped with Helionix avionics, the H160 offers intuitive flight control, improved situational awareness, and reduced pilot workload. In addition to its ergonomic cabin, the H160’s design reduces its environmental and community impact while increasing mission efficiency. The innovative Blue Edge main rotor blades and canted Fenestron tail rotor reduce the perceived noise level by up to 50% compared with conventional solutions. This provides greater discretion during public-service missions while also reducing disturbance for local communities. Thanks to its Safran Arrano engines, the H160 consumes 18% less fuel (Milipol 2025: Airbus Unveils the H160 for the French National Gendarmerie).
According to the SAFE program list published on January 26 this year, Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs intended to procure seven medium-heavy multi-role helicopters with a takeoff weight of 4.5–9 tonnes and five light-medium helicopters with a takeoff weight of 3.2–7 tonnes. A counteroffer, including one from the Italian company Leonardo with the AW139, was rejected.
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
See also:
- SAFE: Rheinmetall with five contracts in Romania worth 5.7 billion Euro
- SAFE: Romania selects German Vector AI drones from Quantum Systems
- SIG Sauer Among The Winners of Romania’s SAFE Program
- WB Group and Romaero to offer reconnaissance-strike system in Romania
- BSDA 2026 in Romania: Leonardo and Romaero offer AW139 and local support