The air component of the National Guard of Cyprus has received the first pair of multirole Airbus H145M helicopters.
The two H145M helicopters were assigned to the 450 Squadron of the Cyprus Air Force at the “Andreas Papandreou” air base in Paphos.
In 2022, Cyprus ordered a total of six H145Ms with an option for the same number of units.
The H145M is a light multirole military helicopter. Derived from the civil H145, the latest version of the H145M features a new and innovative five-blade rotor that increases the helicopter’s payload by 150 kg. The design of the new main rotor without bearings also simplifies maintenance operations.
Equipped with the Airbus HForce weapon system, the H145M can be used as a light attack helicopter. The range of weapons includes machine guns, rockets, and missiles. Combined with Manned-Unmanned Teaming capabilities and integration into networked combat, its bandwidth makes it the most capable helicopter in its class.
The Cypriot National Guard chose a rather sophisticated setup for its H145Ms with an integrated EO/IR/Laser system placed in a turret below the helicopter’s snout and a self-protection system from heat-seeking missiles, in addition to ballistic protection kits.
The new H145Ms constitute an important milestone in the ongoing modernization of the National Guard of Cyprus and greatly enhance its deterrent power and operational readiness.
Sources and photo credit @Cypriot National Guard
