Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Delivery of two medical helicopters delayed until next year

On February 1, 2024 the first helicopter of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service arrived in Bulgaria.
Photo: HEMS

There is a further delay in the delivery of the next two air ambulances to Bulgaria, the Italian manufacturer has said in a letter to the Ministry of Health. In the letter, the contractor, Leonardo S.p.A., set new deadlines for the arrival of the aircraft to January and February next year. 

Delays in procuring key components for the two helicopters have pushed back final assembly, according to the manufacturer, which is already facing penalties for late delivery.

In February, the country received one of six medical helicopters purchased with EU cohesion policy funds for Bulgaria's newly established Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. 

The second air ambulance was due to be delivered in June, but in May the manufacturer announced that delivery would be delayed until November, while the third helicopter would be delivered as planned by the end of December 2024.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Three opposition forces insist that the National Assembly votes on higher incomes for young doctors and specialists

“We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria”, “Alliance for Rights and Freedoms” and MECH have submitted a request to the Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kiselova to convene an extraordinary plenary session to consider the..

published on 7/24/25 4:26 PM

Bulgarian military contingent returns from NATO mission in Kosovo

The contingent of the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo has been welcomed with a solemn ceremony in Blagoevgrad, BTA reports. In his welcome address, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov congratulated the servicemen on the successful..

published on 7/24/25 3:46 PM

Organized criminal group led by Russian citizen and involved in circulating counterfeit banknotes has been dismantled

An organized crime group involved in circulating counterfeit banknotes – dollars and euros, as well in holding counterfeit Bulgarian levs has been dismantled in Plovdiv, BTA reports. Six people have been arrested, including the..

published on 7/24/25 2:30 PM