Joining with Puma On Romanian Military Contract

Eurocopter presented tits latest in public service and military helicopters at EXPOMIL 2007 on October 18-21 at the Romexpo Exhibition Center in Bucharest.

Displayed were a full-size EC135, an LUH Mock-Up (the military certified version of the EC145) and a mock-up of the NH90 10-tonne multi-role transport helicopter.

These types of aircraft are involved in SAR (Search and Rescue) missions, EMS (Emergency Medical Services) & Rescue missions, observation and command, as well as in law enforcement. Because of these types of improvement modern police air support units are playing a key role in providing speedy access and services of general surveillance, immigration and crowd control, anti terrorism, traffic control, rescue, search and arrests to a wide area with safety and discretion.

Helicopters are a tool for police officers with an efficient observation and Communication platform in the sky.

"We have chosen to present an EC135 helicopter as the best example for latest technology that is already used also in Romania. There are three EC135 helicopters already successfully servicing the Romanian Police as well as the Ministry of Health, protecting borders and saving lives as it happened during the last years flood catastrophes," said Philippe Harache, Executive Vice President of Eurocopter Group.

The EC135 is a light twin-engine helicopter for Police and Medical missions. About 250 EC135 are currently in service for SAR or EMS in 20 countries.

About 150 are in used in Europe, being deployed on missions at sea, on land, and in mountainous regions under all manner of weather conditions. Its great mission flexibility, exceptional maneuverability, availability, maintenance schedules and environmental compatibility make the EC 135 popular in its class.

Eurocopter’s subsidiary S.C. Eurocopter Romania S.A. was founded in 2002 and is located in Brasov. It has developed a wide range of activities related to civil, parapublic and military helicopters and affiliated services to serve the Romanian market as well as international customers.

Eurocopter Romania is the main industrial centre within Eurocopter Group to perform repair / overhaul and upgrading of Puma and Alouette helicopters for the worldwide market. Since the foundation of the company, more than 25 Puma helicopters from all continents have gone through servicing in Eurocopter Romania’s facilities.

The company has invested in a 45,056 square foot, production facility, equipped with all industrial tools and equipment for maintenance and production.

Next year, Eurocopter Romania intends to launch maintenance, major overhaul and upgrading for Super Puma helicopters in Brasov. The company has already started to make investments in order to expand.

Eurocopter Romania and Puma are partnering on the Super Puma and have agreed to be a supplier to the Romanian Ministry of Defense. The combination will also make the Eurocopter Romania a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and certified Part 145 maintenance center.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com