The law enforcement solution

Airbus’ H125 has become the reference helicopter for airborne police units in sub-Saharan Africa, where it is flown in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia and South Africa. In Namibia, the Namibia Police Force’s (NAMPOL) Air Wing operates both the AS350 B3 and H145.

Airbus rotorcraft are on the front lines of a battle that is specific to Africa: the poaching of rhinoceros and elephants often carried out by groups armed with automatic or military-type weapons. In taking the fight airborne to identify and ban poaching, the South African National Parks Service utilises AS350s, while the South African Police Service operates H125s.

The Los Angeles Police Department's inventory of Ecureuil AS350 B2 and AS350 B3e helicopters (now part of the H125 family) is a key component in one of the world’s largest municipal police aviation units. The rotorcraft is used to assist ground units for high-speed vehicle pursuits and to provide support for undercover police operations.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deploys AS350s and AS332L1s (an early variant of the H215 and a member of the Super Puma family) for missions ranging from patrol and pursuit, to search and rescue, and the transport of special teams across its large area of operations.

While several American law enforcement agencies are equipped with members of the H125, H135 and H145 families, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency operates the AS350 B2, AS350 B3, and AS350 B3e  (now designated the H125). They are flown along the country’s southwest border region with Mexico – which covers a distance of more than 2,000 miles of harsh and inhospitable terrain, where the threats of drug trafficking, human smuggling and terrorism converge.

Airbus is the leading helicopter provider for airborne law enforcement missions in Canada, with roughly 20 Airbus helicopters, ranging from the H120 to the H145, servicing a number of police agencies across the country. The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) currently operate several  Airbus helicopters, including the H120, H125, and H145, while the Calgary Police and City of Edmonton both employ the H125B3e

Police forces sprawled across South America have also chosen Airbus helicopters as their preferred aircraft of choice for a range of aerial missions. Airbus helicopters are currently employed by an impressive list of law enforcement agencies throughout Brazil, including Policia Civil and Policia Militar, among others. Airbus helicopters can also be found in Peru, Argentina, and Chile, where both the Carabineros de Chile and the Policia de Investigaciones de Chile use the aircraft to facilitate an array of law enforcement operations. In Mexico, Airbus Helicopters is the leader on the law enforcement segment, with helicopters in service in more that the half of Mexican states. 

Western Australia Police Force welcomed its first of two five-bladed H145s in July 2023, becoming the first law enforcement jurisdiction in the southern hemisphere to operate the new aircraft. The H145, which replaces WA Police’s BK117 and Dauphin, provides a significant capability uplift that will enable the agency to enforce law, prevent crime, and manage and coordinate emergencies like never before. Meanwhile, the Queensland Police Service operates an H135 in its fleet to serve the Queensland community.  

In Indonesia, a fleet of AS365N3 owned by the Indonesian National Police and AS565 MBe Panther operated by the Indonesian Navy are deployed to support law enforcement and security missions across the coast and state waters, in collaboration with the Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (known as Bakamla) and the Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard (known as KPLP under Ministry of Transportation).

Japan’s National Police Agency operates a fleet of 21 Airbus helicopters from the twin-engine H135 to the versatile heavy-lifter H225, for a variety of law enforcement and disaster relief activities across the country. Specifically in May 2023, some H135 and AS365 were deployed for surveillance, airport and site patrol during the G7 Summit held in Hiroshima. Meanwhile, the country’s largest Super Puma operator, Japan Coast Guard, deploys a fleet of 13 AS332s and H225s to support territorial coastal activities, security enforcement, as well as disaster relief missions across the country.

The Korea Coast Guard deploys a fleet of five AS565 MBe Panther helicopters for search-and-rescue, and maritime surveillance operations, while the Royal Malaysia Police, which has been active since 1993, has a fleet of seven AS355 for a wide range of police aviation missions. 

In the Philippines, the Philippine National Police operates a fleet of six H125s for rescue and relief operations, as well as medical evacuation, and the Royal Thai Police operates a fleet of nine Airbus helicopters comprising the H175, H155 and AS365 N3+ for various police missions.

Europe is a major market for Airbus rotorcraft responding to law enforcement duties. In Germany, various state police forces and the Federal Police rely on Airbus helicopters - from the single-engine H120 to the twin-engine H135 and H145 and the AS 332 L1 Super Puma. States such as Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate have ordered the five-bladed H145 in one of the world's most modern police configurations. 

In France, the French Gendarmerie operates more than 50 helicopters, including AS350s, H135s, and EC145s, while the Sécurité Civile operates 34 EC145s and has also opted for the five-bladed H145, which entered into service with the French agency in 2022.

In the United Kingdom, Airbus Helicopters provides the nation’s entire helicopter fleet. The National Police Aviation Service (NPAS), which provides borderless air support to the 43 police forces across England and Wales from a national network of bases, operates 15 H135s and four H145s. They are among the most intensively used police helicopters in the world and in August 2023 a NPAS H135 became the first of its type anywhere to complete 20,000 flight hours. Additionally Airbus Helicopters in the UK provides a complete support package for the NPAS fleet under the terms of a five-year contract. The agreement covers ongoing modifications and mission system installation as well as maintenance, spares and engine support. NPAS undertakes some 20,000 missions per year.

Day or night, the H125 is up for the job with its manoeuvrability, as well as specialised police equipment and STCs. Fast, agile and simple to use, the H125 is operated by police forces in some 30 countries around the world and is the reference for airborne law enforcement in the United States.

The H125 is well adapted for multi-role law enforcement missions including surveillance, command and control, search and pursuit, rescue, special operations, escort and border patrol in high and hot conditions. The H125 fulfils all law enforcement missions thanks to its extensive range and high payload. It is modular with an open-space cabin while remaining compact.

A variety of equipment has been developed for police missions, such as law enforcement instrument panels, search lights, electro-optical system (EOS), operator consoles, night vision goggle (NVG)-compatible light sourcing and instruments, wire strike protection, loudspeakers, downlink, rappelling, etc.

Learn more about the H125.

The H135 is the worldwide twin-engine fleet leader in the law enforcement segment with its high safety standards and performance. The rotorcraft’s compact design lets it operate and land in hostile environments, as well as in densely populated urban areas. The low external sound signature makes the H135 not only a neighbourhood-friendly aircraft, but also provides a tactical advantage. This is further enhanced by its law enforcement mission capabilities: the modern HD electro-optical system (EOS) allows police aircraft to operate at a tactically advantageous distance from the scene.

The H135’s latest technology also fully integrates the aircraft into a unit’s tactical infrastructure by connecting the helicopter to the ground through various means (SATCOM, GSM, G4, Tetra, digital downlink systems, etc.). The day-to-day work of law enforcement officers is further revolutionised with state-of-the-art Wi-Fi connectivity, a tablet-compatible cockpit, and enhanced reality system (vector maps overlay on video images). With the lowest operating costs of any twin-engine helicopter, the H135 enables law enforcement agencies to optimise their efficiency by offering the best value for money.

Learn more about the H135.

The H145 is always ready for duty thanks to its multi-role capability and its outstanding useful load / empty weight ratio. Fast and reliable, the helicopter can rapidly transport one or two pilots and up to 10 officers or special forces to the scene, and can be equipped with a modern mission management system for law enforcement operations.

Its primary roles include patrol, surveillance, and rescue missions, supported by the roomy, flexible cabin, and the installation of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and daylight cameras that are controlled by an operator who also handles communications and data exchange with ground-based police resources.

Other equipment opportunities include a powerful searchlight, external hoist, and simultaneous external roping capability for two people – with one on each side. Additional equipment includes a tactical mission management system, connectivity features and an electro-optical system (EOS) digital camera.

The night vision goggle-compatible cockpit with a night vision imaging system (NVIS) further contributes to this helicopter’s operational flexibility.

Learn more about the H145.

The H160 is designed to perform public services missions, such as search and rescue and law enforcement, with features that include a hoist, cameras, loudspeakers, a high-end electro-optical system and human extraction capabilities – along with additional equipment to facilitate the most demanding search and rescue (SAR) missions. The cargo compartment is accessible from the large cabin, helping with daily operations and the storage of equipment.

H160 flat altitude and external visibility in hover in addition to its low sound emission and high level of comfort are among its qualities for public service missions. Its four-axis autopilot coupled with a fast automatic starting sequence (less than two minutes), answers the operator’s needs during critical operations.

Learn more about the H160.

For law enforcement missions, the H175 is ready for both day and night operations with night vision goggle capability, searchlight, and forward-looking infrared imaging. Its large cabin is suited for a variety of missions, while the large doors facilitate easy egress. Fast-roping and rappelling on both sides of the aircraft and a chin-mounted electro-optical system offer additional operational advantages.

This helicopter provides a fast reactivity with a cruise speed beyond 150 kts and offers a spacious cabin and cargo for an easy role change capability. It is also mission-proven with the capability to deploy 14 SWAT in a reduced time, a very good CAT A performance even at high temperature, and an endurance beyond 5 hours for surveillance.

Learn more about the H175.

For law enforcement duties, the Super Puma family can carry a fully equipped SWAT team for deployment day and night, along with a hoist, rappelling and fast-roping beam. With a night vision goggle-compatible cockpit, it also can be fitted with a full de-icing kit, multi-purpose air intakes, electro-optical system, hailer loudspeaker system, cargo sling, and armouring protection.

The H215 and H225 are very versatile thanks to a large reconfigurable cabin with large access doors that can perform the full spectrum of missions including observation, SWAT transportation, search and rescue, and a large range of police equipment. They are proven heavy platforms with a reference autopilot for safety, manoeuvrability and controllability with long range / endurance capabilities enabling to comfortably transport a large amount of police staff or VVIPs.

Learn more about the H215.

Learn more about the H225.