Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first two re-purposed H225s, out of an order for 21 aircraft, to the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior. One aircraft is destined for search and rescue missions and the other one will be operated by the National Guard for law enforcement missions.

According to the manufacturer, the H225 helicopters were refitted to suit these public service missions in just over three months. Another two H225s will join the fleet in the coming weeks.

France and Ukraine concluded an Intergovernmental Agreement contract in July 2018 for 55 aircraft – 21 repurposed H225s, along with 10 brand-new H145s and 24 H125s, all aimed for search and rescue (SAR), EMS and other public service missions. Pilots have completed their H225 certification training in France.

Airbus Helicopters will support the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior in setting-up a dedicated training and maintenance centre for the helicopters in Ukraine, says Matthieu Louvot, Executive Vice President for Support and Services.

The 11-tonne-category twin-turbine H225 is already used in SAR operations by the Japan Coast Guard, the Spanish Coast Guard and the Argentine Coast Guard.