Helicopters of the Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior Helicopter Unit ready to respond to any distress call
| Banja Luka | Friday, 15/10/2021
The Republic of Srpska Ministry of the Interior presented today at the Training Centre in Zalužani two “Ansat" helicopters of the Helicopter Unit within the Special Anti-Terrorism Unit, which are in use throughout Republic of Srpska as well as BiH.
"Thanks to these helicopters, members of this Ministry are ready to respond to any distress call to anyone and anywhere," Minister Dragan Lukač said.
He reminded that the two helicopters were previously delivered to the RS Interior Ministry under agreement the Interior Ministry has with the Russian Federation, with a third helicopter due to be delivered in January next year.
From delivery to the present day, training flights, checks, training of pilots and technicians as well as registration have been organized, so they are now officially ready for use.
One helicopter has a medical module and has the ability to transport all injured or sick persons, i.e. persons in inaccessible areas who need it or from other hospitals where emergency interventions are needed, which will help all citizens of Republic of Srpska and BiH.
Minister Lukač said the delivery of equipment for the second helicopter needed for the appropriate cargo, i.e. to extinguish the fire is still expected, so members of the RS Ministry of Interior will have the opportunity to use these helicopters to extinguish the fires as well.
"I hope that all citizens will welcome what we are doing, because it is in the interest of all citizens that we have a Helicopter Unit in Republic of Srpska that can assist our citizens in elementary disasters, firefighting, transportation of sick people and in evacuation in any area of Republic of Srpska and BiH" added Minister Lukač.
Since the Helicopter Unit is part of the Ministry's Special Anti-Terrorism Unit, the minister concluded that in this way, Special Anti-Terrorism Unit becomes one of the most operational units in the region and that it is certainly in the interest of security in Republic of Srpska. The unit is thus allowed to intervene in a short period of time in any part of Republic of Srpska where the need occurs to help our citizens, prevent escalation or violation of public order and peace, or possibly prevent an act of terrorism.
The Head of the Helicopter Unit of the Republic of Srpska Interior Ministry, Brane Janković noted that the "Ansat" helicopter is a multifunctional machine with two engines, made in Russia.
The helicopter was built according to all civil aviation standards. Its cargo capacity is one tonne, whether it's an internal or external cargo, it will have a fire extinguisher which will allow the fire to be extinguished. The helicopter also has a side crane to rescue or pull out the injured, with 275kg of load capacity and seven passenger seats. The helicopter is developing speeds of up to 275 km/h, and the range is 500 km.
Dr. Nikola Bojic, an air traffic officer, said that as part of helping injured and sick people on the territory of Republika Srpska and even BiH, the emergence of an "Ansat" helicopter within the RS police force is a big deal.
"The helicopter itself, given our territory, which is quite vast and inaccessible, is a tremendous relief and hope for all those who need final assistance at the University Clinical Centre of Republic of Srpska Srpska," Dr Bojić noted.
He also added that education of personnel for this type of transport has already begun, in accordance with European Union rules. This means that patients are given first aid in hospitals, and then a call is made to form a team of pilots and medical staff. The fact that the helicopter allows the doctor and the technician to be together with the patient in the helicopter is a very favourable thing.
Dr. Bojić said the helicopter is equipped with a special medical mode that is in line with all professional standards. This equipment is within the clinical centre and it is tested and controlled according to all standards. It is one of necessary conditions for civil aviation and other important things, like patient safety.
He added that so far, this type of medical transport has been carried out as part of the Republic of Srpska Helicopter Service and a team of medical experts from the clinical centre. However, the procurement of helicopters within the Interior Ministry is a great relief and assistance not only for the clinical centre and the hospitals in the surrounding area, but also for all the people who need this type of transport.
