Beijing 999 Emergency Rescue Center, a subsidiary of Beijing Red Cross Foundation, signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of one H145, the first of its kind to be configured with a hoist for medical and search and rescue in China.
The rotorcraft is scheduled for delivery by 2019.
Beijing 999 currently operates two H135s, the first fully-equipped air ambulance in the country, providing emergency medical services (EMS) around Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei region in China.
“This is a further step in our excellent cooperation with Airbus Helicopters on the SAR/EMS market in China,” said Li Libing, Director of Beijing 999. “The know-how, expertise and extensive experience of Airbus Helicopters in this segment enable us to promote the efficiency and development of medical emergency and rescue services in China. It will also help Beijing 999 to become a leader in China for these missions.”
The new H145 will be the first in China equipped with both a hoist and a full medical interior, allowing it to perform either mountain rescue operations or long range air ambulance transfer. It is also equipped with a weather radar and floats.
“The H145’s entry into China’s SAR/EMS market is a remarkable milestone for this light twin-engine rotorcraft, which is recognized worldwide for its excellent performance, spacious cabin, and multi-mission capability,” said Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Airbus Helicopters Germany. “It’s a perfect solution to accelerate the development of this fast-growing sector in China.”
Today, some 1,100 H145s (previous EC145/BK117) are in service worldwide – logging a combined total of more than four million flight hours. Bringing a large cabin, a compact airframe, and powerful engines, the H145 responds to a multitude of mission needs, especially for public services, such as EMS, SAR, and law enforcement.