Japan’s Hiroshima City Fire Services Bureau has taken delivery of an Airbus Helicopters H160, becoming the first operator globally of the medium-twin in a firefighting configuration.

Scheduled to enter service in early 2026, and replacing a legacy AS365 N3, the helicopter will be deployed for a wide range of public service missions including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and disaster response.

H160-c-Frederic Tatin_Airbus Helicopters

Source: Airbus Helicopters

H160 will replace an elderly AS365 N3 from early next year

Enhancing its wildfire suppression capabilities, the H160 will be equipped with a firefighting bucket.

“We take pride in being the first operator in the world to introduce the H160 for firefighting missions,” says Hideki Sadamori, Hiroshima City Fire Services Bureau chief.

Elsewhere in Japan, Nagoya City Fire Bureau has also ordered a firefighting-roled H160.

Meanwhile, Airbus Helicopters is conducting a month-long demonstration tour of Australia using the Safran Helicopter Engines Arrano-powered type.

Kicking off in Melbourne on 21 October, the tour will see the H160 (VH-AH6) visit what the manufacturer describes as “key cities and coastal communities”.

H160 Aus-c-Airbus Helicopters

Source: Airbus Helicopters

Medium-twin will perform month-long tour of Australia

Dominic Perry is Aerospace Editor, Europe contributing extensively to flightglobal.com. Although specialising in the coverage of the helicopter industry, he has written on most topics in aerospace – be they commercial, defence or business aviation. In addition, there has been an increasing focus on the decarbonisation of the industry and zero-emission flight initiatives. He also helps to edit Flight International.View full Profile

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