The Honduran Air Force Purchases Two Additional H145 Helicopters From Airbus
On April 10, the Honduran Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the procurement of two additional H145 multi-purpose helicopters. This new purchase follows the first order signed between the parties in April 2023 for four H145 helicopters. According to an Airbus Helicopters press release, the Honduran Air Force will operate H145 helicopters for passenger and cargo transportation, search and rescue, firefighting, medical evacuation, and other important missions in the region. Under the new contract, the cost of which was not disclosed, Honduras will receive two new helicopters by the end of 2024.
In his statement about the agreement, Honduran Minister of Defense José Manuel Zelaya said, “The H145 helicopters respond to Honduras’ need for modern, multi-purpose helicopters that can be used for the next 30 years. Honduras, due to its location, is frequently affected by hurricanes, natural disasters, and fires. The fact that we will have six H145s available in the coming years will make the population feel safer knowing that their Armed Forces have the most modern helicopters to protect and assist them during these natural disasters.”
Alberto Robles, President of Airbus Helicopters Latin America, stated, “We are delighted to take another step forward in our collaboration with Honduras through this vital project and we are proud to know that our H145s will perform essential missions to protect the Honduran people. With excellent availability and performance, the H145 has proven to be a very versatile platform that adapts perfectly to the climatic and geographic conditions of the region.”
The H-145 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter that is based on the Eurocopter EC145. The H145 family, which includes several variants according to the needs of the user, has been exported to over 30 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain. According to the manufacturer, these four-ton helicopters, which stand out with their mission capability and flexibility designed specifically for high and hot operating conditions, can perform the majority of civil and military missions due to their compact size, small footprint, and large, flexible cabins.
The H145 is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, each managed by dual full authority digital engine control (FADEC). The reliability of the twin engines is further improved by a fully separated fuel supply system, a duplex hydraulic system, a dual electrical system, and redundant lubrication for the main transmission. As a result, the H145 can reach a top speed of 225 km/h and has a range of 650 km. The helicopter can also reach a flying altitude of over 2,700m (8,858 ft) and stay airborne for three and a half hours.