Luxembourg - The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Étienne Schneider, announced on July 27, 2018 the firm order by the Luxembourg Defense of two Airbus multi-role helicopters type H145M in order to also meet the needs of Police Lëtzebuerg creating maximum synergies in the operation.

The acquisition of the two helicopters is part of the implementation of the "Luxembourg Defense Policy Guidelines for 2025 and Beyond" and more particularly in the development of an air component within the European Union.

The dual-use policy, by both Luxembourg army and civilian police, allows certain Defense-acquired capabilities for the defense effort to also be available for the benefit of other actors.

The two Airbus H145M multi-role helicopters also ensure the renewal of the current fleet of Police Lëtzebuerg

Military Helicopters

Since Luxembourg joined a support partnership with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) in Capellen in early 2018, Capellen led the acquisition of the two helicopters in close cooperation with the Directorate of Transport.

NSPA will also be involved in the negotiation of a service contract for the operation of helicopters during an initial phase, the establishment of an air component in the military, and the establishment of 'a dual-use airline sector in the Findel in application of the objectives set by the "Luxembourg Defense Policy Guidelines for 2025 and Beyond".

In addition to the missions of surveillance and search for missing persons, the mission profile of the two new helicopters will include emergencies or disasters within national borders and beyond.

The two helicopters will be delivered in the second half of 2019 and are expected to enter service in early 2020.