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Greece is acquiring up to 10 Airbus H215 Super Puma helicopters for aerial firefighting as part of a national effort to grow the country’s firefighting capabilities.
The Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has signed up to acquire eight new-build H215s, with an option for two more following a tender.
The contract, announced by Airbus on April 30, is supported by two European Union funds. It also aligns with the ministry’s program to build Civil Protection capabilities after several serious wildfires in the country left communities devastated.
The helicopters will be flown using a government-owned, contractor-operated model led by Airbus Helicopters, with technical and operational support from French rotorcraft operators Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères. Both operators are experienced in aerial firefighting.
“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, Greece’s National Investment Fund, which led the tender. The Hellenic Fire Brigade already operates two Super Pumas and the Hellenic Air Force operates 12 Super Pumas. Airbus says the Super Puma ecosystem in the country will benefit from the support activities and training of technicians and pilots planned for the contract.
On the same day, Airbus also formally handed over the first two of 12 H225M Caracal heavy helicopters destined for Iraqi Army Aviation. Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Muhammad Saeed Al-Abbasi said the integration of the H225Ms into the Iraqi military arsenal will significantly enhance the capabilities of the Army Aviation Corps, thanks to their ability to perform various missions in difficult weather and geographical conditions.
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