Greece Orders Eight Airbus H215 Helicopters to Combat Forest Fires

Airbus Helicopters has entered into a contract with the Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection for the acquisition of eight H215 helicopters, with an option for two additional units. This initiative aims to bolster efforts in combating wildfires across the country, following a tender process conducted by the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund (the National Fund of Greece) on behalf of the Ministry.

The contract is supported by two European funds and is in line with the Ministry's Aegis Programme, which seeks to enhance the capabilities of Civil Protection forces. The agreement will follow a "government-owned contractor operated" (GO-CO) model, with Airbus Helicopters collaborating with experienced H215 firefighting operators, Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères, for technical and operational support.

“The signing of the contract for the purchase of new H215 helicopters represents an important step in our efforts to mitigate the devastating consequences of the climate crisis in our country,” said Panagiotis Stampoulidis, Deputy CEO of Growthfund, about the significance of the project. “This is the largest contract signed under the ‘Aegis’ National Programme to bolster the Civil Protection mechanism in Greece with modern equipment, and we are delighted that the Project Preparation Facility of Growthfund swiftly concluded this tender with transparency and efficiency.”

“Wildfires have burned on average three to five million square kilometres globally in recent years, with significant environmental consequences. It is an honour to have been selected to support the combat, with our H215 helicopters, that Greek communities face every year,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H215 is used around the world for firefighting missions with its ability to drop more than four tonnes of water at a time. Relying on experienced operators, such as Airtelis and SAF Aerogroup, is exactly what the French Securité Civile does. Airbus Helicopters has been a long-standing provider of helicopters for essential missions in the country and together with our GO-CO partners, we are sure that the H215 will be a vital and reliable asset,” he added.

SAF Aerogroup specialises in executing intricate helicopter operations, including mountain rescue, air medical services, firefighting, and humanitarian/logistic missions. This expertise is exemplified by their 2024 H215 RescEU deployment to Greece. The group also excels in high-precision lifting, maintenance, and the training of pilots and technicians, providing comprehensive, high-value air services to governmental and international organisations. Similarly, Airtelis, a French operator located in the South of France with over 60 years of experience from its parent company RTE, has expanded its services beyond power grid support to include emergency response, particularly firefighting, catering to a broader range of national and international clients.

Since the early 2000s, Airbus Helicopters has been a dedicated partner in Greece, contributing to both the civil, parapublic, and military sectors. The Hellenic Fire Brigade currently utilises two Super Pumas, while the Hellenic Air Force operates 12 of these helicopters. The Super Puma ecosystem in Greece is set to gain from the contract's provision for support activities and the training of technicians and pilots.

The H215 is a versatile helicopter within the Super Puma family, with over 1,100 units delivered and accumulating more than 6 million flight hours. It features the renowned 4-axis autopilot from the H225, enabling both day and night firefighting operations. The H215 is utilised globally for firefighting missions, boasting a range of approximately 540 nautical miles, an endurance exceeding two hours, and the capacity to transport 19 firefighters. As one of the few heavy helicopters in production with civil certification, and capable of being equipped with either a water bucket or a belly tank, it serves as an ideal addition to any nation's firefighting resources.