Airbus H125 helicopters enter Austrian Ministry of Interior service
Austria’s Ministry of the Interior (BMI) has formally introduced into service two Airbus H125 helicopters extensively equipped for law enforcement and rescue missions. The aircraft join BMI’s existing fleets of Airbus H135 and AS350 helicopters and will operate from Innsbruck and Salzburg on behalf of the Tyrolean Government in the Tyrol and other mountainous areas of Austria.
The first aircraft was handed over at a ceremony in Innsbruck on 17 October in the presence of Austrian Interior Minister, Wolfgang Peschorn, and Governor of the Province of Tyrol, Günther Platter. The helicopters feature a comprehensive suite of mission equipment in a customised configuration designed by Airbus Helicopters in the UK and fitted at the company’s Oxford headquarters. The package includes a dual cargo hook, plus night vision compatibility, searchlight, fire-fighting equipment including the interface for Bambi bucket operation, and TETRA tactical communications among others.
The H125 was selected by the BMI due to its versatility and all-round performance which are critical to delivering mission availability in Austria’s Alpine regions throughout the year.
