Cyprus orders six H145M helicopters

The government of Cyprus has signed a contract with aircraft manufacturer Airbus Helicopters for the supply of up to 12 H145M helicopters for use by the National Guard. The contract includes an initial batch of six aircraft, as well as an option to order a further six at a later date.

The helicopters will feature Airbus’s new five-bladed rotor design, which reportedly increases the aircraft’s maximum payload by 150kg compared to older four-bladed designs.

According to Andreas Louka, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus, the fleet order will provide the National Guard with a ‘cost effective and high performance helicopter solution’ which ‘addresses many of the future challenges of light attack helicopter fleets’.

The twin-engine helicopters are equipped with two Safran Arriel 2E turbines with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems, as well as a Helionix digital avionics suite. The aircraft will also be equipped with the Airbus HForce weapons system to enable the fleet to be operated as a light attack helicopter.

“Operators can use it for tactical air transport, deployment of crisis response forces, fire support, armed reconnaissance as well as the evacuation of wounded or the liberation of hostages,” said Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President Global Business at Airbus Helicopters.

Airbus has also recently joined forces with a number of aerospace businesses to promote the H145M helicopters to the German military.