Airbus has received an order from New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Services Ltd for four H145 helicopters. The order is part of SRSL parent Central Air Ambulance Rescue Ltd’s expansion of its emergency medical services operations. The new units will join the air emergency services’ fleet of H145 and BK117 aircraft.
SRSL, as the operational services provider and associated administrative arm of CAARL, offers air ambulance helicopter services through agreements with organizations such as Health New Zealand and the Accident Compensation Corp.
Christian Venzal, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Australia and New Zealand, highlighted the important role helicopter emergency services play in a country with rugged terrains and remote communities. “The integration of the H145 helicopters into SRSL’s operations highlights our shared vision of harnessing advanced rotorcraft solutions to enhance response capabilities whilst improving safety standards,” he said.
Part of Airbus’ line of four-tonne-class twin-engine rotorcrafts, the H145 is compact in size with a flexible cabin that can accommodate a range of applications. It has two Safran Arriel 2E power plants, upgraded main and tail rotor systems, and Airbus Helionix avionics.
Due to its customizability, the H145 is used in missions around the world. In September 2024, the Indonesian Air Force placed an order to secure helicopters for military pilot training and search and rescue operations. Meanwhile, Bahrain planned to use the nine H145 helicopters it ordered last December 2024 to support the law enforcement operations and emergency medical services offered by its Police Aviation Command fleet.