The Ukrainian Ministry of Interior will be modifying eight of the 10 H145s that it has on order to the five-bladed rotor revealed at Heli-Expo by Airbus Helicopters. “We are extremely proud to be offering the law enforcement agency of Ukraine such a high level of modern rotary wing technology,” says Arsen Avakov, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. “We have already started to modernise emergency services and National Guard fleets with three successful deliveries of the H225 since the end of December and we look forward to adding the new H145 for law enforcement missions.”

Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even adds: “We are sure that the 150 kg payload increase and accrued comfort for pilots and passengers will be an added advantage to the country's public service missions.”

Following the intergovernmental agreement signed between France and Ukraine for 55 helicopters mid-2018, Airbus Helicopters has already delivered three out of the 21 repurposed H225s on order. The deal also included 10 brand new H145, eight of which will be equipped with the five-bladed rotor, and 24 H125s for SAR, public services and emergency medical service missions in the country. The aircraft will be operated and maintained in Ukraine as the contract also foresees the setting up of a local training and maintenance centre.