Austrian Ministry of Interior Orders Eight Eurocopter EC135s for its Police Force

On 26 September, the Austrian interior ministry signed a purchase agreement for eight Eurocopter EC135 P2i light twin-engine helicopters for police operations. Four of the machines are scheduled to be delivered in March 2008, followed by two each in March and May 2009 respectively.

Designed as light multi-purpose helicopters, the first four EC135s will be operational in time for the 2008 European Football Championship, when they will be able to demonstrate their capabilities. The four EC135s slated for delivery in 2009 will additionally be equipped with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras and searchlights. All eight helicopters have roping devices, are qualified for IFR flights, and are fitted with glass cockpits compatible with the use of night-vision goggles.

The agreement also includes a power-by-the-hour service for a period of ten years, as well as technical support by Eurocopter for the Austrian police fleet while the EC135 will be phased in at the federal interior ministry as well as during the European Football Championship.

With a global market share of 80 percent, the EC135 has not only established itself internationally as the leading helicopter of the latest generation in the air rescue sector, but has also conquered the helicopter market for police and law enforcement missions. About 140 EC135s are currently in service worldwide in this sector, 113 of them in Europe. This equates to a market share of around 60 percent in this class.

The EC135 stands for modernity and innovation. In accordance with international safety regulations, it is powered by two turbine engines that enable it to accelerate to up to 287 kilometres per hour and fly an average distance of 750 kilometres. The reason why this Eurocopter model is so successful worldwide is because it is easy to handle, is extremely manoeuvrable, and has a very high availability of 98 percent. Other assets of the EC135 are its bearingless main rotor and shrouded Fenestron® tail rotor, which drastically reduce noise and vibration levels during operation (the external noise level is 7 dB below ICAO limits). Eurocopter recently delivered its 600th EC135 to the Slovenian police.

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

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