Story ID: 
Bavarian Police Order Eight Airbus H145s
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Bavaria’s new five-bladed Airbus H145D3 helicopters will replace H135s operated by its police force. 
Word Count: 185
Bavaria’s Ministry of Interior has ordered eight five-bladed Airbus H145D3 helicopters for its police force. The aircraft will replace the state’s current H135 fleet and will be operated from bases in Munich and in Roth. First delivery is planned for 2023.

“The five-bladed H145s will further enhance the mission capabilities of the Bavarian Police. The flood in Germany and the pandemic have clearly demonstrated how important helicopters are for our society,” said Wolfgang Schoder, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany.

The five-bladed H145D3 light twin-engine helicopter was unveiled in 2019. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, it is equipped with Fadec and the Helionix digital avionics suite that includes a four-axis autopilot. The upgraded variant increases useful load by 330 pounds and features a new bearingless main rotor designed for fewer maintenance requirements and increased service life.

There are more than 200 helicopters from the H145 helicopter family deployed for public services and law enforcement missions worldwide. More than 1,500 H145 family helicopters are in service and have logged more than six million flight hours.