RoMoND approachforfuture endowmentwith helicopters

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENC EARMAMENTS DEPARTMENT

Type/Version Origin Role Notes

IAR 316 B

(standard)Romania training License-built Aerospatiale – SA 316B Alouette

IAR 330 Puma

(standard)Romania utility transport License-built Aerospatiale - SA 330 Puma

IAR 330L SOCAT Romania multi roleLicense-built Aerospatiale - SA 330 Puma

Modernized version with Elbit Systems

IAR 330L M Romania utility transportLicense-built Aerospatiale - SA 330 Puma

Modernized version with SC IAR SA Brasov

IAR 330L MEDEVAC Romania MEDEVACLicense-built Aerospatiale - SA 330 Puma

Modernized version with SC IAR SA Brasov

IAR 330L NAVAL Romania multi roleLicense-built Aerospatiale - SA 330 Puma

Modernized version with SC IAR SA Brasov

1. Actual RoMoND Helicopter Types / Versions

SC IAR SA began manufacturingthe IAR 316 B in 1971 at its plant nearBrașov, Romania, based on a FrenchAérospatiale licence. More than 200units were built, 125 of those werebuilt for the RoAF. Some of the IAR316 B were upgraded to carryweapons such as 57mm rocket pods,7.62 mm machine guns, and anti-tank missiles.

Today IAR 316 B is used as atraining helicopter.IAR 316B

Romania bought a licence tomanufacture the French AérospatialeSA 330 Puma in 1974. The firstlicensed helicopter was flown in 1975.167 of these helicopters have beenbuilt, out of which 104 were assignedto Romania's military. Have beenbuilt also a search and rescue (SAR)version, fitted with inflatable floatsfor emergency landing at sea. Depotlevel maintenance and upgradeactivities are still ongoing at theIndustria Aeronautică Română (IAR)plant at Ghimbav near Brașov.

IAR 330L

In the 1990s, the Romanian AirForce decided to enhance the combatcapabilities of the IAR 330L, making it auniversal anti-tank and supporthelicopter. The Israeli company ElbitSystems was chosen, and in 1995 wassigned a contract to upgrade 24helicopters with the SOCAT system(Sistem Optronic de Cercetare și Anti-Tanc).

IAR 330 SOCAT

The IAR 330M NATO is amodernized transport version withthe SOCAT version's avionics,without weapons and optronicsystems. Among others, it has aweather radar.

Twelve IAR 330Ls weremodernized to 330M standardbetween 2005 and 2008.

IAR 330M NATO

IAR 330 MEDEVAC

The IAR 330 MEDEVAC is amodernized transport version with theSOCAT version's avionics, withoutweapons and optronic systems andwith a weather radar.

Four IAR 330Ls were modernized toMEDEVAC standard between 2005 and2008.

The first IAR 330 NAVALhelicopter was delivered toRomanian Naval Forces in 2007. Thehelicopter is in a similar configurationto the Romanian Air Force SOCAT.The Navy aircraft also have flotationgear.

Three helicopters are operatedfrom Navy frigates for multi-rolemaritime missions (transport, searchand rescue and maritime surveillance)IAR 330 NAVAL

2. New contract for IAR 330 modernisation

• In 2016, the Romanian Air Forcedecided to enhance the avionic andprotection systems for seven IAR 330L in order to have a modern capabilityfor missions in theatre of operations

• The frame contract was signed indecember 2016 with SC IAR SA Brasov

• The helicopters and related logisticsupport are scheduled to be deliveredin 2018 and 2019

3. RoMoND Conception about helicopters needs (1)

• The RoMoND specialists are working now to elaborate a Conceptionabout future endowment with helicopters of Army, Air and Naval Forces

• In the last two years a lot of data were gathered form EU and USA mainhelicopters producers

• It will be a major decision because its global effects on long term

• For example: one of the main issues for attack helicopter is to decidebetween a multi-role and a dedicated solution

• The requirements and after that an acquisition strategy will be establishedbased on the Conception conclusions

• A major priority (as a state level decision) for future acquisition is involvingof national defence industry in production and maintenance of the new fleet

• In this respect RoMoND had preliminary discussion (in a non-bindingformat) with companies such as: Airbus, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Leonardoand Sikorsky

3. RoMoND Conception about helicopters needs (2)

• The involvement of national defence industry in RoMoND aquisitionprograms for helicopters is a part of the national strategy to sustain anddevelop production and maintenance for defence in Romania.

• In order to implement this strategy, lately were approved relevant Laws andalso Governamental and Supreme Council of National Defence decisions.

• Example: Law no. 232/2016 regarding national defence industry

4. The involvement of national defence industry (1)

• Ministry of Economy signed in 2016 a Memorandum of Understanding withAirbus Helicopters Industries

• SC IAR SA Brasov signed in 2016 a Memorandum of Understanding with BellHelicopter

• The goals of memorandums are to identify and develop bilateralcollaboration opportunities

• In September 2016 Airbus Helicopters inaugurate an assembly plant ofAirbus H215 helicopters, on the IAR Ghimbav platform, Brașov. Beside theproduction facilities, the opened plant have a research bureau, salesdepartment and a training center

• RoMoND analyse the possibility to buy, in near future, two H215

4. The involvement of national defence industry (2)

5. Conclusions • Actual RoMoND helicopters fleet is based on IAR 330 L and IAR 316 B platforms in

standard or upgraded variantes

• In next years must be intiate a gradual replacement program for helicopters

• A study about future endowment with new helicopters of Army, Air and Naval Forcesis ongoing

• To obtain data for the study, RoMoND had preliminary discussion (in a non-bindingformat) with companies such as: Airbus, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Leonardo andSikorsky

• The involvement of national defence industry in RoMoND acquisition programs forhelicopters is a mandatory objective

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

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MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENC EARMAMENTS DEPARTMENT