MEP Aleksander Reberšek: an audit of the purchase of rescue helicopters should be carried out

A Slovenian MP has called for an independent audit into the procurement of rescue helicopters used for emergency medical services, citing concerns over potential favoritism towards a specific supplier during the tender process. The request was made by Aleksander Reberšek, a member of the NSi party, who accused the government of potentially violating transparency standards in its decision-making regarding the purchase of two specialized helicopters. According to Reberšek, the contract was signed last October by then-general director of police Damjan Petrič with the Italian company Leonardo for the acquisition of two helicopters intended for emergency medical assistance. The first helicopter was scheduled to be delivered in October 2027, while the second was set for February 2028. The total value of the deal, including maintenance, is nearly 37 million euros, with the possibility of increasing the cost by up to 30 percent. Reberšek argues that the helicopters purchased are not actually specialized for rescue operations. He claims that some criteria in the tender documentation were tailored specifically to a particular bidder. He pointed out that instead of acquiring two multi-purpose helicopters for around 50 million euros, the government could have procured three fully dedicated rescue helicopters using the same budget. In his parliamentary motion, Reberšek criticized the current government led by Robert Golob for failing to establish a third helicopter base before proceeding with the purchase. He noted that professional circles had expressed strong criticism of the chosen Leonardo helicopters. The sections for urgent medicine and rescue services within the healthcare sector explicitly warned that the selected model does not meet key medical requirements. Specifically, it does not allow access to the patient's head from behind during flight, a necessity for critically injured patients. Additionally, the helicopter lacks a tail with sufficient lifting capacity (at least 270 kg) and does not support rear loading of patients, both essential features for mountainous and other demanding rescue scenarios. Reberšek emphasized that the organization of the helicopter emergency medical service (HENM), as outlined by the Golob government, lacks transparency and raises suspicions of corruption. He stated that Slovenia deserves the best possible setup for HENM and therefore submitted the motion requesting an audit of the HENM project and the procurement of specialized helicopters for emergency medical care. The procurement process began under the previous administration, which had already initiated discussions on the need for modernized emergency medical equipment. However, the current government has continued with the existing plans despite ongoing scrutiny from both political opponents and experts in the field. The issue has sparked debate among various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and public officials, who question whether the chosen helicopters will effectively serve their intended purpose. Some argue that the selection process should have been more transparent and inclusive of alternative suppliers. The government has yet to respond formally to the call for an audit, though officials have previously defended the procurement decisions as necessary for improving emergency response capabilities. They have not commented on the allegations of favoritism or the criticisms raised by medical professionals. The motion has been referred to relevant committees for further examination, and it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by Reberšek and others. The outcome of this review could significantly impact future procurement processes and the overall structure of emergency medical services in Slovenia.