Greece is conjured against fires with the purchase of eight H215 helicopters to Airbus

The fire last August arrived to fence the Greek capital, Athens, in an episode that led to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyento announce the sending of aerial media of the own European Uniontogether with other teams, to help in extinction and rescue tasks. Now, nine months later, the European manufacturer Airbus Helicopters has announced the order that the Ministry of Climate Crisis of the country has done for the acquisition of eight helicopters H215 Destined to the fight against forest fires, plus the option of two more.

This agreement, which comes after a bidding process, is backed by two European funds and aligns with the program Aegis of the Ministry, destined to improve the capacities of the forces of Civil defense. The contract follows the model called Go-cowhich refers to the fact that it is “operated by a contractor owned by the Government”, For which Airbus Helicopters will be associated with Ferel y SAF helicoptersoperators experienced in fire extinction with helicopters H215 that will provide technical and operational support.

The CEO of Growthfundthe Greek National Fund in charge of this tender on behalf of the Ministry, Panagiotis stampoulidisframe this purchase of helicopters H215 in the “efforts to mitigate the devastating consequences of the climatic crisis in our country.” It is, he said, of the largest contract signed within the program Aegis.

By Airbus Helicopters, its CEO, Bruno EvenHe recalled that forest fires “have burned on average three to five million square kilometers worldwide in recent years with important environmental consequences.” About him H215 He explained that it is a model that is already “used worldwide for fire extinguishing missions with its ability to drop more than four tons of water at the same time.”

Night and day

He H215 It is a family use helicopter Super Puma with more than 1,100 units in service and more than six million flight hours. Its manufacturer emphasizes that it is equipped “with the famous four -axles auto -axles pilot H225 which allows fire extinguishing activities to be carried out at night and during the day. tons) certificate to equip both a water bucket or a tank in its belly.