Helicopters Airbus Helicopters and Serbia expand partnership

After the delivery of the first H145M to the Ministry of Defence, Serbia will become a new maintenance hub for SA 341 / SA 342 Gazelle helicopters. An agreement between the two parties has been signed at the Partner Defence Exhibition in Belgrade.

”Both events underline the fact that Serbia and Airbus have entered into a close partnership”, commented Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even on the news.

An aeronautical plant near Belgrade will become the new hub for helicopter maintenance work in Serbia. The facility has been certified by Airbus Helicopters to carry out work with the Gazelle helicopters. Between 1971 and 1991, more than 160 of these aircraft have been produced in Mostar.

The delivery of the first H145M to Serbia is another milestone for the country. It will help the operator to use state-of-the-art technologies and advantages to perform missions as good as possible.

All of the nine H145M that Serbia will receive are equipped with a fast roping system, high-performance cameras, fire support equipment and an electronic countermeasures system. Airbus Helicopters´ HForce system has been installed as well.

Regarding the H145M, Airbus wrote in a statement: "The H145M is a tried-and-tested light twin-engine helicopter that has also been ordered by Germany, Thailand, Hungary and Luxemburg. The programme’s maturity allows Airbus Helicopters to execute orders on cost and on schedule. Mission readiness of the H145Ms already in service is above 95 percent."

The country of Serbia has also ordered three H215 heavy helicopters for the Ministry of Interior. The flag-carrier airline of the state, Air Serbia operates an all-Airbus fleet with one A330 for long-haul flights and nine A320 family aircraft, which build the backbone of the fleet.