Airbus Helicopters and the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (Valstybės Sienos Apsaugos Tarnyba: VSAT) announced the contract for three H145M (Military) multi-mission helicopters (D3 type) during the European Rotors 2023 trade show, expanding the Service’s fleet.

The three additional H145Ms will bring the total number of Airbus helicopters in service with the Lithuanian government to eleven, further strengthening Airbus Helicopters’ position in the country.

The helicopters will be acquired for a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, assistance in natural disaster operations and transport of the injured (medevac), patrolling, firefighting and transport of the country’s Special Forces.

As for the multi-mission capabilities of the H145M D3, they are compatible with Airbus’ HForce weapon system, should Lithuania wish to adopt it later.

“We have significant resources to provide our State Border Guard with state-of-the-art equipment such as H145M multi-mission helicopters,” said Agne Bilotaite, Lithuania’s Interior Minister. “Partly funded by the national budget and also thanks to European funding, the H145Ms will further strengthen the intelligence and response capabilities of our border guards and contribute to the security of Lithuania,” he added.

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“We are honored that the Lithuanian Border Guard Service once again trusts Airbus Helicopters with its selection of the H145M as a next-generation multi-mission helicopter,” said Olivier Michalon, executive vice president of Airbus Helicopters. “Our cooperation began in 2002 when the Lithuanian State Border Guard received its first EC120. Twenty-one years later, it is a privilege to support such a distinguished organization and contribute to key security missions in order to protect and serve the people of Lithuania and make Europe safer,” he added.

There are more than 200 helicopters of the H145 helicopter family deployed in public service and law enforcement missions around the world.

Airbus’ new best-selling version of the H145M adds a new, innovative five-bladed rotor to the H145M, increasing the helicopter’s payload by 150 kg. The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design will also ease maintenance tasks, further improving the functionality and reliability of the H145M, while improving driving comfort for both passengers and crew.

In total, there are more than 1,650 H145s in service, logging a total of more than 7.5 million flight hours. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix suite of digital systems. It includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145M the quietest helicopter in its class, while CO2 emissions are the lowest among its competitors.

Also read: EUROSATORY 2022 | Presentation of Airbus H145M with SPIKE ER-2 missiles and complete armament suite – VIDEO & Photos