Ukraine and France on Friday, March 23, inked a preliminary deal for delivery of 55 rotorcraft from Airbus Helicopters to be used by the country's police, border guards and emergency departments, the ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) announced in an official statement.

Airbus Helicopters' H225M Caracal helicopter

(Credit: A. Pecchi/Airbus Helicopters)

The agreement, for which the value was not dislosed, involves a mixed fleet of H125, H145 and H225 choppers. It was announced during a visit to Kiev by the French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. First deliveries are expected this year, the Ministry said.



"This is the largest project between Ukraine and France. This is a very large structural project within Ukraine, for which we undertook the support of President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman,", the Internal Affaire Minister, Arsen Avakov, stressed.



"The main tasks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs helicopter units will be rescue and public order, criminal investigations, antiterrorist and special missions, state border guard and road safety," the Ministry added.



"France strongly supports Ukraine in the restoration of its territorial integrity. We also support all the reforms that are taking place in your country. We look forward to further cooperation in any area," said Jean-Yves Le Dian.



“France is a reliable, strategic partner,” the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Volodymyr Groysman, said. “We sincerely value France’s support of Ukraine’s sovereignty.”