The Hellenic Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of eight H215 helicopters, with an option for two additional aircraft, aimed at reinforcing the country’s capabilities in combating wildfires across Greece.
The order, carried out through a public tender conducted by the National Fund for Development of Greece (Growthfund), and supported by two European funds, is part of the national “Aegis” program, which aims to enhance the operational capacity of the country’s civil protection forces.
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The contract will follow a “government-owned, contractor-operated” (GO-CO) model, in which Airbus Helicopters will rely on the operational expertise of Airtelis and SAF Hélicoptères, both recognized for their experience in aerial firefighting.
The H215 belongs to the renowned Super Puma family, with over 1,100 units delivered and more than 6 million flight hours logged. The aircraft is equipped with the same four-axis autopilot as the H225, enabling firefighting missions both during the day and at night. It has a range of approximately 540 nautical miles, endurance of over two hours, and the capacity to transport up to 19 firefighters.
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Additionally, the helicopter can be configured with a suspended water bucket (Bambi Bucket) or a fixed belly tank. It is one of the few heavy helicopters in production with international civil certification, making it an essential asset for any country looking to strengthen its aerial firefighting capabilities.
SAF Aerogroup, involved in the operation, has a track record of complex missions including mountain rescues, air medical services, and humanitarian operations. In 2024, the company had already operated H215 helicopters in Greece through the European RescEU program. Airtelis, a French operator with over 60 years of experience inherited from its parent company RTE, has expanded its operations beyond the energy sector to include emergency and firefighting missions, both nationally and internationally.
Source and images: Airbus. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
