Iran in talks to buy 45 Airbus helicopters: report

Dubai

IRAN is holding talks with European planemaker Airbus to buy 45 helicopters for civilian use and plans to hold a tender to buy three search-and-rescue helicopters, an Iranian official was on Saturday quoted as saying, as Iran continues its shopping spree of Western aircraft after the lifting of sanctions.

"The Health Ministry is planning to order 45 HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) helicopters and the purchase is being negotiated by the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development," Iran's Financial Tribune daily quoted Deputy Minister Asghar Fakhrieh-Kashan as saying.