Georgian Border Police receive French helicopter for firefighting, mountain rescue
Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs on Friday said the Special Purpose Aviation Division of its Border Police had received an Airbus H145 helicopter designated for firefighting and mountain rescue operations. Photo: MIA
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Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs on Friday said the Special Purpose Aviation Division of its Border Police had received an Airbus H145 helicopter designated for firefighting and mountain rescue operations.
Pilots of the Division flew the helicopter from Germany to deliver the aircraft, the first of three purchased from Airbus Helicopters.
The [helicopter] is fully equipped with firefighting and mountain rescue equipment [and] two engines, increasing the safety of flight”, the Ministry said.
It also noted the aircraft’s manoeuvrability and full compatibility with the tasks considering the mountainous terrain of the country.
Pilots and flight technicians of the Special Purpose Aviation Division underwent theoretical and practical training at an Airbus Helicopters training academy in Germany.
The Ministry signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters in December 2022 for the purchase of the helicopters.
The remaining two vehicles are scheduled to be delivered by June.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs on Tuesday said a new Airbus H145 helicopter designated for firefighting and mountain rescue operations had been handed over to its Border Police agency.
Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri on Wednesday told the country’s Parliament Airbus Helicopters had reduced the timeframes for delivering the H145 rotary-wing aircraft to Georgian authorities following talks.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has signed a contract with French company Airbus Helicopters on purchase of three H145 helicopters designated for firefighting and mountain rescue, in an agreement that involves a trade-in of a rotary wing aircraft purchased by the former Government but left unused over the years.
The “successful” partnership and “favourable” business environment in Georgia were discussed on Friday between Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Bruno Even, the Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Helicopters, a French helicopter manufacturing company, in a meeting on the sidelines of the ongoing 59th Munich Security Conference, the Government Administration said.