Georgia receives new helicopter from French company for rescue operations

The Georgian Interior Ministry on Tuesday announced the reception of a modern, new, European-type, H 145 helicopter from French Airbus Helicopters, which is entitled for use in rescue operations. 

The handover ceremony in Germany was attended by the Deputy Chief of the Georgian Border Police, Giorgi Malania, and the Director of the Special Purpose Aviation Department of the Border Police, Ioseb Arjevanishvili, the ministry noted. 

The helicopter represents one of the latest models, fully equipped with fire fighting and mountain rescue equipment. It has two engines, which increases the safety of the flight and is characterized by maneuverability, which, considering the mountainous terrain of Georgia, will be fully compatible with the existing tasks, the ministry added. 

Pilots and flight technicians of the Special Purpose Aviation Department of the Border Police are undergoing theoretical and practical training at the Airbus Helicopters training academy in Germany, which will end on March 15, after which the helicopter will be transported to Georgia by the Georgian crew.

On December 19, 2022, the Ministry of Internal Affairs signed an agreement with the French company Airbus Helicopters over the purchase of three H145 helicopters. The remaining two helicopters are planned to be delivered to Georgia by June.