Airbus has proposed transferring the production line of the multifunctional H215M helicopters to Romania, utilizing the facilities of Industria Aeronautică Română (IAR) in Brașov.
The offer depends on the Romanian government accelerating its plan to renew its military fleet, which currently consists of IAR-330 Puma helicopters with over 50 years of use. The company considers Romania a strategic partner and sees the initiative as an opportunity to strengthen the local industry and European defense as a whole.
During a meeting with authorities and journalists, Airbus executives highlighted that the country had planned to acquire new helicopters only after 2030. However, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has accelerated these decisions. The previous Romanian government estimate pointed to the purchase of about 90 aircraft.
Airbus stated it is ready to begin the local manufacturing process, emphasizing that the IAR infrastructure is already prepared to receive production.
Furthermore, Airbus recently signed a cooperation memorandum with the Ukrainian state-owned company Ukroboronprom. The agreement, formalized during the 2025 Paris Air Show, provides for the training of Ukrainian technicians in the maintenance and repair of brand aircraft operating in Ukraine, reinforcing the European manufacturer’s involvement in modernizing the region’s military aviation.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @AirbusHeli | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🇫🇷🇷🇴 #Airbus Helicopters plans to resume production of #H215M multi-purpose helicopters in #Romania and proposes to assemble up to 90 of these machines at its plant in #Brașov.
This helicopter, a modernised version of the Super Puma, will be a logical and economical replacement… pic.twitter.com/Xe1rOIlMYX
— Boris Alexander Beissner (@boris_beissner) July 21, 2025
