Two brand-new Airbus H145 air ambulances were received at Iran’s Payam Airport near Karaj on Friday, the airport’s public relations announced.
The helicopters have been purchased by Iran’s Health Ministry and are set to be used by Emergency Medical Services Organization, in line with plans to improve air medical services.
Iran reportedly plans to purchase 45 Airbus air ambulances.
“So far, six helicopters have been purchased and the deal for nine other choppers will be finalized in the near future,” Mohammad Sarvari, the head of Air Emergency Office at Emergency Medical Services, said in late February.
Iran received two helicopters in September 2017 even though the choppers have not started operating yet.
Aerospacetalk, a local aviation media, said the first two choppers have been assembled and are being tested by Iranian pilots. EMS currently operates 34 helicopters, all of which are leased from law enforcement forces and army.
Using these helicopters, the EMS transferred more than 19,000 people to hospitals in the last fiscal year (March 2017-18).
