The Italian aerospace company Leonardo S.p.A. has informed Bulgaria’s Ministry of Health (MoH) about further delays in delivering two medical helicopters, citing critical supply chain issues.
The delays, which have already disrupted the original timelines, are now raising concerns over the feasibility of even the revised schedules.
Revised Delivery Dates Extended Again
According to the latest communication from Leonardo, the second helicopter is now expected to arrive in Bulgaria by the end of February 2025, while the third is projected for delivery by the end of March 2025.
The second helicopter is reportedly undergoing flight tests, while the third, which is approximately 60% complete, remains in the assembly stage.
This marks the third adjustment to the original delivery schedule. Under the initial contract, signed with Bulgaria’s Ministry of Health, the second helicopter was due by the end of June 2024, and the third by the end of December 2024.
Earlier delays were reported in May and October 2024, attributed to component shortages and production setbacks.
Contractual Implications and Penalties
The delays currently stand at 183 days for the second helicopter and 90 days for the third. If the revised deadlines are met, penalties under the contract will amount to over 500,000 leva (€250,000).
These penalties are set to partially compensate Bulgaria for the disruptions caused to its plans for expanding emergency medical services.
Despite the penalties, the repeated delays have drawn criticism. Health officials have emphasized the urgent need for medical helicopters to improve emergency response times, particularly in remote and mountainous regions of Bulgaria.
Impact on Emergency Medical Services
The introduction of medical helicopters is a key component of Bulgaria’s broader healthcare modernization efforts. The helicopters are intended to provide rapid transport for critically ill patients and enhance disaster response capabilities.
However, the protracted delays have slowed the government’s timeline for implementing the service. “Every delay hampers our ability to provide timely emergency care, especially in rural areas where access to advanced medical facilities is limited,” an MoH representative stated.
Leonardo’s Challenges and Industry Context
Leonardo has attributed the delays to critical shortages in key components, a challenge faced by the aerospace industry globally.
Supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, have impacted production schedules for many manufacturers.
In its statement, Leonardo assured the Ministry of Health that it is taking all necessary measures to expedite the assembly and testing processes for the helicopters.
“We remain committed to delivering the helicopters as soon as possible while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards,” the company said.
Growing Pressure on Leonardo
The repeated delays are straining relations between Leonardo and the Bulgarian government.
Officials have expressed frustration over the lack of reliability in meeting deadlines, which undermines trust and confidence in the manufacturer’s capabilities.
As Bulgaria awaits the helicopters, the government has intensified efforts to ensure accountability and explore alternative measures to bridge gaps in emergency medical services. Whether Leonardo can meet its revised commitments by early 2025 remains to be seen.
For now, the delayed helicopters symbolize a broader challenge of navigating global supply chain uncertainties while addressing critical healthcare needs.