Romania, Airbus Sign MoU To Improve Capabilities Of Super Puma MK1 Helicopter

Romania and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to improve production capabilities for the Super Puma MK1 helicopter Wednesday, Airbus said in a statement.

 “The trust placed by Romania in Airbus Helicopters is more than reciprocated, and I hope that the investments we have made, and will continue to make, in Romania do demonstrate this to you today”, said Airbus Helicopters President, Guillaume Faury. 

With over 300 Pumas and Alouettes helicopters (IAR330 and IAR316) produced under licence in the 1970s for national and export markets dates to 2002 through Eurocopter Romania, a joint-venture with the state-owned company Industria Aeronautica Româna.

In 2012, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence took possession of its first upgraded Puma Mk1 as part of the Puma Life Extension Programme (LEP) contract awarded to Eurocopter UK in 2009 which upgrades Mk1 helicopters to Mk2.

The three-year support contract affects a fleet of 24 Royal Air Force Puma Mk1 helicopters being upgraded at Brasov to extend their life, and enhance performance, mission capability and operational safety.

In addition, Airbus Helicopters aircraft perform missions for several Romanian State institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, and the Intelligence Service Agency (SRI).