Bahrain has purchased nine H145 Airbus helicopters to support law enforcement missions and emergency medical operations.
The aircraft will be operated by the kingdom’s Police Aviation Command, with Airbus Helicopters’ EVP for Global Business Olivier Michalon predicting that the chopper will quickly become a valuable new asset for the service.
“As a truly multi-role helicopter, the H145’s versatility makes it a key asset for public safety missions around the world and in the region,” he added.
More than 60 H145s are already in service across the Middle East, with growing demand for their use in various missions.
While this is the first such acquisition from Bahrain, the company noted that over 1,700 helicopters of the H145 family are currently in service worldwide with more than 300 customers.
Upgraded Features
In 2020, Airbus introduced an upgraded H145 light twin-engine helicopter featuring a new five-bladed rotor.
The modernization increased the rotorcraft’s payload capacity by 150 kilograms (330 pounds), reaching a maximum takeoff weight of 3,800 kilograms (8,378 pounds).
The H145 has a cruising speed of 140 knots (161 miles/259 kilometers per hour) and a flight endurance of up to three and a half hours.
Two Safran Arriel 2E engines power the H145, which also features dual full-authority digital engine control and the Helionix digital avionics suite.
A 4-axis autopilot mode boosts safety and reduces pilot workload.
The aircraft is equipped with a wireless airborne communication server that connects to a ground station for improved safety while enabling data transfer and analysis.
Additionally, the rotorcraft boasts a quiet acoustic footprint for its class and lower CO2 emissions compared to similar aircraft.
