Romania Orders 12 H225M Helicopters in €757M SAFE Deal to Replace Pumas

Romania has ordered twelve Airbus H225M helicopters through an agreement with France's defence procurement agency under the European Union's SAFE financing framework. The approximately €757 million purchase includes initial logistics support and personnel training and will replace IAR-330 Puma helicopters used for conventional and special operations. Intended missions include armed attack, reconnaissance, surveillance, protection and air assault during both daylight and night operations. Airbus announced the contract on October 7, following signature in July, but did not publish a delivery schedule; the aircraft order sits within a separately authorised Romanian project budget of roughly €852 million.