One of the two H145M helicopters now delivered to Cyprus. The eastern Mediterranean country will receive its four remaining helicopters by the end of 2025. (Airbus Helicopters)
Cyprus has received the first two of six Airbus Helicopters H145M rotorcraft ordered in 2022, the manufacturer announced.
Airbus Helicopters said on 26 March that deliveries of the rotorcraft ordered for the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus had now commenced and will be completed by the end of 2025.
“With hybrid warfare set to play an increasing role in future conflicts, militaries will seek versatile helicopters that can perform a variety of pivotal functions,” Olivier Michalon, executive vice-president for global business of Airbus Helicopters, said, adding, “The Republic of Cyprus joins a large group of European militaries operating the multirole H145M for a wide range of missions including training, special operations, troop transport, and light attack.”
Although not included in the original contract announcement, Airbus Helicopters has now confirmed that the Cypriot H145Ms are being delivered with the Airbus HForce weapons system that comprises the Collins Aerospace FMC-4212 General Purpose Computer (GPC), the Thales Scorpion monocular helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD), a Wescam or Safran electro-optical sensor, as well as weapon pods. Weapon options include 12.7 mm heavy machine gun pods (HMGPs), 20 mm cannon pods, air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, and/or 68 mm and 70 mm unguided and guided rockets. The HForce package can be added to and removed from the helicopter as and when it is required.
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