Romania to produce new H215 heavy helicopter
Airbus Helicopters ceremony (Credit: Lorette Fabre - 2015)
In a ceremony held by Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, and in the presence of Alexandru Nastase, Secretary of State, Airbus Helicopters set down the foundation stone of its new Romanian factory, established to assemble the latest helicopter to join the H family of aircraft – the H215.
The H215 is an evolution of the former AS332 C1e/L1e, offering a new business and industrial concept for this ready, proven and affordable helicopter, proudly built in Romania. Under the control of Airbus Helicopters Industries, the factory based in Brasov will house H215 production from procurement to after-sales, including design office activities.
The facility is expected to be capable of producing up to 15 aircraft per year. The first H215 to roll out of the assembly line is planned for 2017.
“The H215 is of strategic importance to Airbus Helicopters and will allow us to offer customers the best helicopter for the job, all with extremely competitive direct operating and maintenance costs.”
Guillaume Faury said: “The H215 is of strategic importance to Airbus Helicopters and will allow us to offer customers the best helicopter for the job, all with extremely competitive direct operating and maintenance costs. This expanded partnership with Romania, an important EU and NATO member, will ensure that our legacy twin-engine heavy helicopters are more economical than ever on current and emerging markets.”
“This new 100% Airbus Helicopters industrial centre is capitalizing on a successful history of aircraft heavy maintenance and complex upgrade programs in Romania and cooperation in the country that goes back more than 40 years.”
Serge Durand, managing director of Airbus Helicopters Industries added: “This new 100% Airbus Helicopters industrial centre is capitalizing on a successful history of aircraft heavy maintenance and complex upgrade programs 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 standardized equipment definition for rapid production times and cost-effective acquisition prices.”
Airbus Helicopters H215 (Credit: Lorette Fabre – 2015)
