Photo: Airbus
Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract with the Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection for the purchase of eight H215 helicopters, with an option for two additional units, to support Greece's wildfire combat efforts. The contract follows a...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
Airbus Helicopters has secured a contract with the Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection for the purchase of eight H215 helicopters, with an option for two additional units, to support Greece's wildfire combat efforts. The contract follows a tender managed by the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund (Greece’s National Fund) on behalf of the Ministry. This initiative is supported by two European funds and aligns with the Ministry's Aegis Programme, which aims to strengthen the capabilities of Greece’s Civil Protection forces. The helicopters will operate under a "government owned contractor operated" (GO-CO) model, with Airbus Helicopters partnering with experienced H215 firefighting operators Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères for technical and operational support.
Panagiotis Stampoulidis, Deputy CEO of Growthfund, emphasised the importance of the project: "The signing of the contract for the purchase of new H215 helicopters represents an important step in our efforts to mitigate the devastating consequences of the climate crisis in our country. This is the largest contract signed under the ‘Aegis’ National Programme to bolster the Civil Protection mechanism in Greece with modern equipment, and we are delighted that the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund swiftly concluded this tender with transparency and efficiency."
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, stated: "Wildfires have burned on average three to five million square kilometres globally in recent years with significant environmental consequences. It is an honour to have been selected to support the combat, with our H215 helicopters, that Greek communities face every year. The H215 is used around the world for firefighting missions with its ability to drop more than four tonnes of water at a time. Relying on experienced operators, such as Airtelis and SAF Aerogroup, is exactly what the French Securité Civile does. Airbus Helicopters has been a long-standing provider of helicopters for essential missions in the country and together with our GO-CO partners, we are sure that the H215 will be a vital and reliable asset."
SAF Hélicoptères, a company with expertise in complex helicopter operations such as mountain rescue, air medical services, firefighting, and humanitarian/logistics missions, previously supported Greece’s firefighting efforts through a 2024 H215 RescEU deployment. The group also provides high-precision lifting, maintenance, and pilot/technician training services. Airtelis, a French operator based in the South of France with more than 60 years of experience through its parent company RTE, has extended its focus beyond power grid support to emergency response, including firefighting, for a variety of national and international clients.
Airbus Helicopters has been a long-time partner in Greece since the early 2000s, serving both the civil and military sectors. The Hellenic Fire Brigade operates two Super Pumas, while the Hellenic Air Force operates 12. The new H215 helicopters will complement the existing fleet, with support activities and training for technicians and pilots as part of the contract.
The H215, a multirole helicopter within the Super Puma family, has over 1,100 units in service globally, with more than six million flight hours. Equipped with the H225's renowned 4-axis autopilot, the H215 is capable of conducting firefighting missions both day and night. With a range of around 540 nautical miles, over two hours of endurance, and the ability to transport 19 firefighters, it is an ideal complement to firefighting fleets. As one of the few heavy helicopters currently in production that is civil-certified, and with its ability to be equipped with either a water bucket or belly tank, the H215 is a versatile and valuable asset for firefighting operations worldwide.
A cooperation protocol has been signed between the organisers of the Homeland Security Equipment Exhibition (İGEF) and the Turkish Aeronautical…
Danish defence and aerospace company Terma has introduced the SCANTER Sphera, a new 3D radar system developed for counter-drone operations,…
New Horizon Aircraft, developer of one of the world's first hybrid eVTOL aircraft, has achieved full wing transition of its…
Indra has introduced its latest development, the VALERO weapon system, at the FEINDEF defence exhibition. Designed entirely in Spain, VALERO…
Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall AG, and Indra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on…
Boeing has announced a new order from AviLease, a global aircraft lessor based in Saudi Arabia, for 20 737-8 aircraft,…
Construction has begun on Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), a major expansion project that is expected to significantly increase Singapore’s…
The Typhoon 30c Remote Weapon Station, developed by Israel's Rafael, was recently demonstrated in the U.S to an enthusiastic audience.…
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has requested the purchase of the Lockheed Martin-made Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM). The missile is…
A German space start-up has completed its first orbital test of a new heat shield concept, potentially marking a shift…
Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is ramping up its flight frequencies and increasing passenger capacity across its Asia-Pacific…
Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited and PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) have signed a Letter of…
Deutsche Aircraft has selected American Data Solutions (ADS) to provide technical publication management solutions for its next-generation regional turboprop, the…
Mongolia's Hunnu Air has commenced scheduled services using the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with its inaugural flight from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing…
The Philippines and South Korea are reportedly close to finalising an agreement for the acquisition of 12 additional FA-50PH Block…
Malaysia's Lumut Naval Shipyard (LUNAS) has confirmed that the second vessel in the Royal Malaysian Navy’s Maharaja Lela-class Littoral Combat…
New Horizon Aircraft, developer of one of the world's first operationally-focused hybrid-eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, announced that…
Rheinmetall and ICEYE signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 8 May 2025, to establish a joint venture (JV) focused…
FLUX GmbH, a Germany-based manufacturer of high-precision encoders, has appointed SEUM Tronics as its distribution partner in South Korea as…
Korean Air and Delta Air Lines will acquire minority stakes in Canadian carrier WestJet, further deepening their respective partnerships with…
The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has signed separate agreements with renewable fuel producers Neste and World Energy to purchase Sustainable…
The UK’s Military Aviation Authority has issued a Military Type Certificate to the Royal Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1 uncrewed…
In a decisive escalation of hostilities, India Thursday struck key Pakistani air defence systems in response to a major overnight…
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has signed a contract with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) for the construction of two…
Terma and Lockheed Martin have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at expanding their cooperation across defence and aerospace…
HENSOLDT has concluded a second round of data collection as part of the European research and development initiative STORE (Shared…
The Emirates Group has reported its strongest financial performance to date for the year ending 31 March 2025, with record…
The Indian Navy is participating at the ongoing IMDEX with its Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette INS Kiltan, which is part of…
Israeli firm DSIT Solutions Ltd. (DSIT) launched an advanced version of its PointShield System, for detection of manned and unmanned…
Saab Australia (Saab) and ST Engineering have entered into a teaming agreement at the ongoing IMDEX to deliver deployable health…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.