2 Airbus Choppers Arrive in Tehran

Local media reported on Monday that Iran has received two Eurocopter EC-145 emergency choppers.

The two choppers reportedly were delivered at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport late on Monday.

Mohammad Sarvari, the head of Air Emergency Office at Emergency Medical Services, confirmed to Financial Tribune that the two choppers belong to EMS, without elaborating further. Health Ministry's public relations said it has not yet taken delivery of the choppers.

Plans to enhance Iran’s air emergency services have made good progress, Health Ministry’s public relations told Financial Tribune, noting that new European choppers are expected to join the fleet in the near future.

Back in August, Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan, deputy roads and urban development minister, announced that the Health Ministry was discussing the purchase of 45 HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) helicopters, noting that Iran wants to include the helicopter order into the Iran Air-Airbus contract signed in December 2016.

Earlier this week, Mohammad Qaderi, the head of Tehran Air Emergency Unit, told FNA the Health Ministry is awaiting the delivery of seven air ambulances in the coming weeks, which will be deployed in Tehran.

Currently, 21 emergency air ambulances are operating across Iran. The Eurocopter EC145 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and manufactured by Eurocopter, which was rebranded as Airbus Helicopters in 2014.