France, Ukraine clinch deal for 55 Airbus helicopters.

The Ukrainian government on Tuesday signed an agreement to purchase 55 helicopters from France, said the Ukrainian Interior Ministry in a statement. A preliminary deal was inked in late March, 2018.

Airbus Helicopters' H225M Caracal helicopter
(Credit: A. Pecchi/Airbus Helicopters)

The contract worth about 551 million euros (635 million U.S. dollars) states that Ukraine will buy choppers of H145, H125 and H225 types produced by Airbus Helicopters.

"Today we have signed an agreement between the French and Ukrainian sides worth about EUR 551 million. Under the terms of the agreement, the French side will first supply 37 Airbus helicopters to Ukraine, and later another 18 helicopters, including twenty-one H225 helicopters able to carry loads over 10 tonnes. Such equipment is not manufactured in Ukraine, and we find it very necessary to have them. This year we will get the first four helicopters," Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsene Avakov said. 

The choppers will be employed in Ukraine's rescue and anti-terror operations, as well as in border security, traffic control and evacuation missions.

After finalizing the deal, Avakov said on Twitter that the helicopters will significantly strengthen rescue services in Ukraine.

Avakov signed the contract in Paris with Delphine Geny-Stephann, State Secretary of the French Economy and Finance Ministry.