Czech Police Orders 11 Airbus H145 Helicopters in Major Fleet Modernisation Programme
The Czech Ministry of Interior has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for 11 new five-bladed H145 helicopters, marking a significant investment in the country’s public safety and emergency response capabilities.
The aircraft will be operated by the Czech Police Aviation Service and will become the backbone of its fleet, supporting a wide range of missions including law enforcement, search and rescue operations and emergency medical services.
The agreement includes not only the delivery of the helicopters but also a comprehensive package covering pilot and maintenance training, logistics support and operational integration.
Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters, said: “We are honoured that the Czech Ministry of Interior has chosen the H145 to support its vital missions.
“As the Czech police currently operate the H135, transitioning to the H145 is the logical next step in their fleet’s evolution, allowing crews and maintenance teams to benefit from a high degree of commonality and ensure seamless operational readiness from day one.
“This agreement highlights the H145’s versatility as a multi-mission aircraft, capable of shifting quickly from demanding police work to life-saving rescue duties. In choosing the H145, the Czech police forces are joining a large number of law enforcement operators across Europe who have placed their trust in this platform.”
The order represents the latest success for Airbus’ H145 programme, which has become one of the most widely used public service helicopters in Europe. The type is already operated by a number of police and government agencies across the continent, including German state police forces, the French Gendarmerie and the Lithuanian Border Guard Service.
The Czech Police Aviation Service currently operates nine helicopters from the H135 family. The introduction of the larger H145 is expected to deliver greater operational flexibility, enhanced lifting capability and increased range, while reducing maintenance requirements through advanced digital systems.
For the wider aviation industry, the deal underlines Airbus’ continued strength in the European rotorcraft market and highlights the growing demand for multi-role helicopters capable of undertaking a variety of public service missions from a single platform.
The announcement also carries a UK industry connection. Airbus maintains a substantial presence across the United Kingdom, with its helicopter division operating a major facility at Oxford Airport, while Airbus’ wider UK operations support thousands of jobs in aerospace manufacturing and engineering. The company additionally works with an extensive network of suppliers across Europe, including the Czech Republic, where it sources more than €200 million worth of goods annually for its commercial aircraft programmes.
More than 1,800 helicopters from the H145 family are currently in service worldwide, collectively accumulating over 8.5 million flight hours.
Powered by twin Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 features full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and Airbus’ Helionix digital avionics suite. The helicopter is equipped with a four-axis autopilot designed to reduce pilot workload and enhance operational safety.
Airbus says the H145 also offers one of the lowest acoustic footprints in its class and produces lower carbon dioxide emissions than competing aircraft, factors that have contributed to its popularity among public service operators worldwide.
More than 200 H145 helicopters are currently deployed on public service and law enforcement missions around the globe.
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