On December 17, 2024, two new helicopters acquired by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior were officially presented at Lučko Airport. Purchased through a public procurement procedure at a contract value of €36.3 million (including VAT), 85% of the cost was financed through grants.
Following the completion of the registration process and formal handover, the helicopters will join the Ministry’s fleet to support the civil protection system in search and rescue missions and emergency medical flights. With these additions, the Ministry of the Interior’s operational helicopter fleet now totals nine aircraft, with plans to purchase a tenth in the near future.
The newly acquired helicopters are Subaru Bell 412EPX models, the most advanced iteration of the Bell 412 platform. This version offers improved durability, including increased maximum weight and cargo capacity, as well as enhanced engine performance. These upgrades provide greater speed and efficiency for complex rescue and medical operations, significantly improving crisis response capabilities. Both helicopters will be outfitted with specialized search-and-rescue and MEDEVAC equipment.
In February 2025, the first group of pilots and flight technicians from the Ministry’s aviation unit will undergo a three-week training program in Texas, USA. This will be followed by joint training sessions for pilots, technicians, and operational teams to familiarize them with the new equipment. The helicopters and their crews are expected to become fully operational by the start of the summer season.
Each standard crew will include a pilot, co-pilot, and technician from the Police Directorate’s Aviation Unit, along with a camera operator from the State Intervention Unit of the Civil Protection Directorate. For emergency medical flights, the team will also include a doctor and a medical technician. Additionally, the helicopters can transport up to 12 members of the civil protection system during operational missions.
Deployment of the helicopters will initially cover Zagreb and Dubrovnik, ensuring coverage for southern Dalmatia, which is not currently served by the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS). A potential third location in Mali Lošinj is under consideration. Furthermore, two prefabricated helicopter hangars, funded by the state budget, will be located in Lučko and Dubrovnik to support operations.
The current helicopter fleet of the Ministry of the Interior (excluding new aircraft) consists of a Robinson R22 Beta (9A-HAG), two Eurocopter EC-135-P2+ (9A-HBA, 9A-HBB), an AB 206 Jet Ranger (9A-HBC), an AB 212 (9A-HBM), a Bell 206B Jet Ranger II (9A-HBZ), a Bell 206B Jet Ranger III (9A-HDB) and two AW139s (9A-HPH and 9A-HRP). The new helicopters will bear the registration marks 9A-HRC and 9A-HCP.
