Bahrain Boosts Air Power with Order for 9 Advanced Airbus H145 Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters has finalized an agreement with His Excellency, Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior of Bahrain, for the acquisition of nine H145 helicopters. These aircraft will be utilized by the Police Aviation Command for law enforcement operations and emergency medical services within the kingdom.
“We take great pride in the Ministry of Interior of Bahrain selecting us to join the global H145 family,” stated Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President for Global Business at Airbus Helicopters.
“We are confident that the H145 will swiftly emerge as a significant new resource for the Bahraini police force. As a highly adaptable multi-role helicopter, the H145’s flexibility renders it an essential asset for public safety operations both regionally and internationally. Currently, over 60 H145s are operational in the Middle East, and the demand for this helicopter model continues to escalate across various missions: emergency medical services, energy sector operations, law enforcement activities, and utility missions,” he further explained.
The latest iteration of Airbus’ top-selling H145 light twin-engine helicopter incorporates an innovative five-bladed rotor into the multi-mission aircraft, boosting the payload capacity of the helicopter by 150kg. The straightforward design of the new bearingless main rotor also facilitates maintenance, further enhancing the exceptional serviceability and dependability of the H145, while promoting comfort for both passengers and crew.
In total, there are over 1,700 helicopters from the H145 family in operation, accumulating an impressive eight million flight hours. Driven by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 comes equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) alongside the Helionix digital avionics suite. It features a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, which boosts safety while lightening the pilot’s workload. Its notably low acoustic signature positions the H145 as the quietest helicopter in its category, with CO2 emissions that are among the lowest in comparison to its rivals.
