The Royal Brunei Air Force Orders Six H145M Utility Helicopters From Airbus
On May 2, Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Defense ordered six H145M utility helicopters from Airbus Helicopters as part of the second phase of the Support Helicopter Project, which was launched to enable the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) to fulfill its national and international obligations. The new order, which will allow the RBAF to strengthen its troop deployment capabilities in military and humanitarian operations, follows the UK Ministry of Defense’s announcement in recent weeks that it had purchased six H145 aircraft to support British forces in Brunei and Cyprus.
According to an Airbus Helicopters press release, the new helicopters will replace the Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm BO105-CBS fleet, which the Royal Brunei Air Force decommissioned in 2022, and will be used to improve the air force’s operational capabilities, including close air support and weather observation. However, no information about the contract price or delivery timeline was provided.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said in a statement about the contract, “We are greatly honored by the selection of the H145M to support the Royal Brunei Air Force’s expanded missions. The H145M is well regarded for its high performance and versatility, and we are confident that it will bring a step change in operational readiness to Brunei.”
The H-145M is Airbus’s class-leading light attack helicopter, based on the civilian Eurocopter EC145. The H-145M has a wide range of applications, including maritime patrol, light attack, transport, and reconnaissance. These helicopters can operate day or night in any weather and can be equipped with 12.7mm machine guns, 70mm guided and unguided rockets, anti-tank missiles, and short-range air-to-air missiles. The helicopter can carry a useful load of 1,769kg and has a maximum takeoff weight of 3.7 tons. The H-145M has a range of 662 kilometers and a top speed of 244km/h, thanks to its two powerful Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines. The helicopter can reach a flight altitude of over 2,700m (8,858 ft) and remain airborne for three and a half hours.