The Cyprus government has ordered six H145M light multi-role helicopters from Airbus Helicopters for use with the National Guard.

As an option, the delivery of a further six machines has been agreed, Airbus Helicopters said in a statement. According to media reports, 140 million euros will be needed to procure the helicopters together with the ammunition such as cannons, rocket launchers and guided missiles, some of which will be raised from a special budget.

Cyprus will receive the latest version of the H145M with five-blade rotor and the possibility of armament with the HForce weapon carrier. With HForce, the entire spectrum of weapons from machine guns to unguided and guided missiles is available with fire control via integrated observation means. Cyprus will become the fifth H145M operator in Europe, after Hungary, Germany, Serbia and Luxembourg. Other H145s are used in Thailand and the USA.