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

Parliament approves new measures and penalties against road traffic offenders

Bulgaria’s National Assembly has passed, at second reading, amendments to the Road Traffic Act. Municipal cameras and those from the national toll system will now be used to detect speeding violations.  The changes allow for the introduction of..

published on 7/24/25 9:53 AM

The Bulgarian passport grants visa-free access to 177 countries and destinations

Bulgaria retains 13th place in the Henley Passport Index, having climbed 8 positions over the past 10 years, according to the website of the London-based citizenship and residency consultancy Henley & Partners.  The Henley Passport Index ranks 199..

published on 7/24/25 9:16 AM

Bulgaria resubmits second payment request under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan

Bulgaria has resubmitted its second request for payment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), amounting to EUR 653 million. The request covers the implementation of 59 milestones and targets, 20 of which were related to legislative..

published on 7/24/25 8:43 AM