Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
Airbus Helicopters has laid the foundation stone for its new factory in Romania where the H215 helicopter will be assembled, the company announced on 17 November.
The 10,000sq meter facility, based in Brasov, will house H215 production from procurement to after-sales, including design office activities under the control of Airbus Helicopters Industries.
The assembly line will be able to produce up to 15 aircraft every year, with the first H215 planned to roll off the assembly line in 2017.
The H215 is a twin-engine helicopter, based on the AS332 C1e/L1e, designed for missions including utility, United Nations peacekeeping operations and logistic support missions. The helicopter is EASA and FAA certified and is equipped with the 4-axis autopilot used on the H225.
Serge Durand, managing director, Airbus Helicopters Industries, said: ‘This new 100% Airbus Helicopters industrial centre is capitalising on a successful history of aircraft heavy maintenance and complex upgrade programmes in Romania and cooperation in the country that goes back more than 40 years. The aim is to offer our customers a completely new and modern business concept by proposing a standardised equipment definition for rapid production times and cost-effective acquisition prices.’
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
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