China's Rescue And Salvage Bureau Will Operate Aircraft For SAR Missions

Eurocopter and the Chinese Government Wednesday signed an agreement for another 2 EC225 helicopters for the Ministry of Transport (MOT) / China Rescue and Salvage Bureau.

The signing ceremony included MOT Vice Minister Mr. Weng Mengyong, Captain Song Jiahui, Director General of the CRS, Mr. FU Shula, President of AVIC International Holding Corporation and Mr. Norbert Ducrot, Senior Vice-President Asia Pacific Sales for Eurocopter. China took delivery of its first two EC225 helicopters in December 2007.

“This purchase underlines the MOT’s continued vote of confidence in our product range. The EC225 helicopter boasts modern Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities and we are extremely confident in its strong market potential in China”, says Ducrot.

“We have successfully completed several successful operations with the EC225 helicopters over the last 2 years and we are very pleased with their performance," said Captain Song Jiahui. "We are convinced that this new acquisition will help us to better meet the demands of a professional maritime rescue team and protect the safety of our people during times of natural catastrophes”.

EC225 File Photo

To be delivered in 2011, these 2 new EC225 helicopters will be operated by the China Rescue and Salvage Bureau for SAR missions. They will strengthen the MOT’s existing fleet of 10 helicopters and 2 fixed wing aircraft, which are currently operated by 4 flight teams stationed throughout China.
The EC225 helicopters are twin-engine heavy helicopters in the 10/11 ton class which have already shown their worth in previous operations with the CRS: they recently rescued 11 seamen in tortuous weather conditions during the Morakot typhoon in August and saved over 100 lives during the Sichuan relief effort last year.

The two EC225s for the CRS will be equipped with equipment such as search lights, hoists, and more to assist in their SAR missions.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com