Eurocopter signs with the French Gendarmerie for 37 EC135
Marignane, 15 January 2007
Eurocopter signed a significant contract with the French Gendarmerie for the acquisition of 37 EC135 (12 firm orders and 25 options) valued at €233 million. These EC135, which will be used for police missions, will replace the single-engine Ecureuil B, BA and B1 that the French Gendarmerie has been operating since 1980. The first helicopters will be delivered during the last quarter of 2008.
At the same time, the French Gendarmerie confirmed an option for three EC145. With this option, the EC145 fleet of the Gendarmerie will include fifteen aircraft, mainly used for missions in high altitude and in inhospitable environment. The EC145 will replace the fleet of Alouette III.
The Gendarmerie is one of the biggest helicopter users for public service, in terms of flight hours and number of aircraft operated. They have been using the helicopter for more than 50 years.
The French Customs also confirmed an option for 2 EC135. A first order for three EC135 took place in December 2005 including this option for two additional aircraft. The French Customs are currently operating eight twin-engine Ecureuil. Their helicopters are used for missions fighting against custom and tax evasion, protection of the environment and fishing police.
About Eurocopter
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. 13,000 people. In 2005, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.2 billion euros, orders for 401 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 16 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 139 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
For more information, please contact:
Jesus RUIZ Eurocopter
Tel.: +34 91 379 66 04
Cellphone: +34 690 88 88 80
mailto: jesus.ruiz@eurocopter.com
Christina GOTZHEIN Eurocopter
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88
Cellphone: +49 (0) 151 14 22 92 43
mailto: christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com
Cécile VION-LANCTUIT Eurocopter
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 49 34 45 55
Cellphone: +33 (0) 6 72 83 90 67
mailto: cecile.vion-lanctuit@eurocopter.com
Christopher BACH Eurocopter
Tel.: +49 (0) 906 71 45 65
Cellphone: +49 (0) 151 14 22 90 89
mailto: christopher.bach@eurocopter.com
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