Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Department of Emergency Situations, has awarded PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, a contract to procure an additional new-generation Black Hawk® utility helicopter for emergency and firefighting services.
This additional aircraft will join Romania’s fleet of European manufactured Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk utility helicopters, currently providing maritime and land search and rescue, firefighting, transport and medical emergency support. In 2023, Romania received seven S-70M helicopters as part of a framework agreement for up to twelve Polish-built S-70M Black Hawks. With this additional aircraft, the fleet of S-70M helicopters will grow to eight.
“This Polish-built S-70M Black Hawk will further extend the reach of the existing Romanian Black Hawk fleet and supports Romania in its commitment to contribute to strengthening European preparedness for disasters,” said Dennis Goege, vice president of Lockheed Martin in Central and Eastern Europe. “These new-generation aircraft will be a long-standing asset for Romania, offering enhanced features and flight safety to its high-payload role, as demonstrated worldwide, but especially by firefighting forces in the United States.”
Romania made this purchase funded by European Union RescEU funds, part of the European Civil protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations created to fund, among other items, a fleet of firefighting planes and helicopters.
Growing Regional Black Hawk Capabilities
Designed to demanding military standards, the S-70 Black Hawk helicopter is a dual-use platform that is ideally-suited to perform the long-range and high-altitude missions required by Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. This includes disaster relief, search and rescue, medical transport, external cargo lift, firefighting, and maritime emergency missions.
The military design of these robust helicopters allows them to fly in challenging weather and environmental conditions. With more than 5,000 Hawk aircraft produced, more than 5 million combat hours flown and continuous improvements, this versatile, multi-mission helicopter is operated by more than 35 countries.
Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin, and Aerostar S.A., inaugurated the first certified S-70 Black Hawk helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service centre in Europe. The Black Hawk centre established in Bacau will support Black Hawk operational availability and sustainment.
The information provided by KomuniK
Maia Sandu, Donald Trump, and Emmanuel Macron are the international leaders who enjoy the greatest trust among Romanians, according to a poll conducted by Avangarde. The survey, carried out between September 8–14, shows Romanians’ perceptions of the country’s direction, international political leaders, global institutions, and certain foreign policy topics. The opinion poll revealed that the world […]
Former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu was sent to trial on charges of complicity in an attempted coup, alongside alleged paramilitary leader Horațiu Potra and 20 other people, Biziday.ro reported. He also allegedly benefited from hybrid warfare operations coordinated by Russia during the country’s 2024 presidential election crisis. Romania’s presidential election
A caravan of 150 cyclists, 90 cars and 25 motorbikes covered 830 km at the Tour of Romania, the most important local cycling competition, organized between 10 and 14 September by the Romanian Cycling Federation, together with the National Agency for Sports and Auchan Romania, the main co-organizing partner. In addition to the elite sports […]
certSIGN, a Romania-based company and leading developer and integrator of cybersecurity and cryptographic solutions, has been awarded, following a competitive international tender process, a framework contract to support the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) in providing cybersecurity services to Romania. certSIGN will lead a consortium including Bit Sentinel and CybrOps to deliver cybersecurity preparedness […]
Pets are now officially welcome inside Cluj-Napoca City Hall, mayor Emil Boc announced on Monday, September 15, describing the move as part of efforts to make the city more modern and empathetic. “Today we are opening the doors of City Hall to our voiceless friends as well. Dear residents, from now on, pets are welcome […]
Romania is currently discussing with Ukraine the possibility of developing joint drone production projects, according to defense minister Ionuț Moșteanu. Drones have been at the forefront of the war between Ukraine and Russia, used by both sides for reconnaissance, surveillance, but also deep strikes in enemy territory. The prevalence of drones on the battlefield and […]
