Press Release

Issued by Airbus Helicopters.

July 31, 2020

The Western Australian Police Force has ordered one H145 helicopter to enhance police operations in Western Australia, making it the first Australian customer to operate the five bladed H145.

Purchased to replace its BK117 helicopter, and to operate alongside the AS365 N3+, this state-of-the-art H145 offers a full range of capabilities for the WA Police Force, including single-pilot and instrument flight rules, along with night vision goggles capability. When these aircraft capabilities are integrated with the onboard police mission system, the H145 is the perfect law enforcement partner to the WA Police Force across all its airborne missions.

On top of its multi-mission fit out, this specialised platform will have a fully integrated on-board police mission system, providing exceptional airborne law enforcement capability. This is complemented with Airbus' Helionix avionics suite and four-axis autopilot system, significantly reducing crew workload and underpinning flight safety. For exclusive use by the WA Police Force, the new aircraft will be based in Perth, servicing the entire state of Western Australia.

“We thank the WA Police Force for the opportunity to support its critical operations with our latest five-bladed H145 offering. The H145 is well regarded as a reference law enforcement helicopter, and we are proud to be able to configure the aircraft to include the mobile policing command post to enhance the capability of the WA Police Force, both in the air and on the ground,” said Andrew Mathewson, managing director, Airbus Australia Pacific.

With a lower environmental footprint than its peers, the H145 sets the standard in carbon emission and sound levels for its class. It also has an availability rate of up to 95%, positively impacting aircraft readiness and cost.

“Not only have we sourced an exceptional helicopter and flying command post for the vast state of Western Australia, we are also partnering with a global aviation company that has an extensive local footprint in Australia, ensuring our fleet availability,” said WA Minister for Police Michelle Roberts.

This new H145 will soon join a large fleet of more than 300 Airbus helicopters flying in the country.

The aircraft's advantages also include the increased useable weight and simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design that provides easy maintenance operations, improving the benchmark serviceability and reliability of the H145, while enhancing ride comfort for passengers and crew.