Bahrain acquires nine Airbus H145 helicopters for police operations

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Bahrain acquires nine Airbus H145 helicopters for police operations

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Simple Flying | Simple Flying

By Sky Industry News

Dec 13, 2024

Bahrain has entered into a contract to acquire nine Airbus H145 helicopters for its Police Aviation Command. The agreement was signed with Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Minister of Interior of Bahrain, as announced by Airbus on December 12, 2024. These helicopters are intended for law enforcement and emergency medical services.

Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President for Global Business at Airbus Helicopters, expressed pride in Bahrain's decision: "We are very proud that the Ministry of Interior of Bahrain has chosen to become a new member of the H145 worldwide community. We are sure that the H145 will quickly become a valuable new asset for the Bahraini police."

The H145 helicopter is recognized for its versatility and performance in various conditions. It features a five-bladed rotor and is powered by two Safran Arrial 2E engines. The aircraft includes full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite.

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Currently, over 60 H145s operate in the Middle East among more than 1,700 units worldwide. The military variant, known as the H145M, serves different roles including troop delivery and applying firepower. In the United States Army, it is designated as UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota.

While these helicopters will be used by Bahraini police rather than military forces, it's notable that Bahrain maintains an extensive air force relative to its size. This includes F-16 Fighting Falcons and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft along with a diverse helicopter fleet.

The acquisition reflects growing demand for versatile rotorcraft in law enforcement and other sectors across the region.