Serbia and Airbus Helicopters expand partnership
As per a new partnership between the two entities, Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of nine H145M helicopters to the Serbian Ministry of Defence, and Serbia’s Moma Stanojlovic aeronautical plant (which has been certified by Airbus Helicopters) is to carry out maintenance work on SA 341 / SA 342 Gazelle helicopters.
The maintenance hub will carry out work on the Gazelle; more than 160 Gazelle SA 341 / SA 342 were produced under license by the Soko plant in Mostar from 1971 to 1991 and these helicopters are still operated in Serbia and its neighbouring countries.
The nine H145Ms which Serbia is to receive have been earmarked for the Air Force and for the Ministry of Interior. The aircraft are to be equipped with a fast roping system, high-performance camera, fire support equipment and ballistic protection, as well as an electronic countermeasures system. The H-Force system, developed by Airbus Helicopters, will allow Serbia to equip and operate their aircraft with a large set of ballistic or guided air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons.
Serbia has also ordered three H215 heavy helicopters for the Ministry of Interior. Air Serbia operates ten A320 family aircraft, the backbone of the airline, and one A330. The latter performs the first direct flight to the US since the 80s from the territory of former Yugoslavia.
“Both events underline the fact that Serbia and Airbus have entered into a close partnership,” concluded Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even.