DRF Luftrettung orders four new Airbus H145 helicopters

German air‑rescue provider DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters announced on Wednesday that the operator has placed an order for four additional H145 rotorcraft. The deal will increase DRF’s already sizable fleet of Airbus‑type helicopters, reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s largest emergency medical services operators.

A growing fleet for a leading rescue network

DRF Luftrettung, together with its subsidiaries, currently runs more than 50 Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters from 32 bases across Germany. The organization provides a range of services, from rapid emergency response and intensive‑care patient transport to specialized missions such as hoist operations and night‑time rescues. The new H145s will be integrated into this network, allowing the operator to expand coverage and improve response times in both densely populated regions and remote areas.

Why the H145 remains a market favorite

The H145 family has become a mainstay of European HEMS fleets. With over 1,800 aircraft in service worldwide, the type has accumulated more than 8.5 million flight hours. Each new helicopter is powered by a pair of Safran Arriel 2E turboshaft engines equipped with full‑authority digital engine control. The aircraft also incorporates Airbus’s Helionix digital avionics suite, featuring a four‑axis autopilot that enhances safety while reducing pilot workload.

The H145’s low acoustic signature makes it the quietest helicopter in its class, a factor that eases operations in urban environments. Its CO₂ emissions are among the lowest of competing models, aligning with the aviation sector’s broader push toward greener operations.

"It is our mission to ensure optimal care for the benefit of our patients at all times,” said Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung, in an Airbus press release. “With the addition of four more H145s, we are strengthening our position as the operator of one of the largest H145 fleets in Europe and at the same time creating the conditions to position ourselves for the future. In addition, last year we took another important step towards being able to respond quickly and effectively to developments in the rescue service by deciding on the H140 and ordering ten new aircraft. This provides our crews with a fleet that enables them to save lives every day under the best possible conditions.”

“The continued expansion of the DRF Luftrettung fleet is a powerful testament to the deep-rooted trust and the close partnership we have built over decades of shared commitment to air rescue,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “We are immensely proud that our helicopters serve as reliable tools for their highly skilled crews, contributing every day to the vital mission of saving lives across Europe.”