Suffolk County legislators have this week approved the acquisition of an Airbus H145 in a fleet modernisation move, with the project priced at $13.1 million.

Funding for the new aircraft is in three parts. $5 million was budgeted in 2021, an estimated $600K will be realised through the sale of their oldest helicopter in the fleet, and the balance of $7.5 million from borrowing.

Suffolk County Police operate two Airbus AS350B2, which went into service in July 2005 and January 2011 – one of which is seen below. Additionally they have two early EC145s which were added to the fleet in March 2009 and February 2015.  Their operational base is at Islip-MacArthur Field on Long Island.