The French Defense Ministry has ordered
five additional EC725 helicopters from Eurocopter as part of the
government’s economic recovery plan.
This new acquisition is part of the plan to
revitalize the economy, which the French government introduced in
December 2008. The five helicopters are scheduled for delivery between
late 2010 and early 2012.The contract was placed by the French DGA
(Délégation Générale pour l’Armement) and comprises the delivery of
five EC725s plus the related support services. It secures work for 100
Eurocopter personnel and 150 suppliers’ employees over a period of 3
years. The aircraft will be built at the Eurocopter plant in Marignane,
in the Bouches-du-Rhône area of France. 
“This order is confirmation that the French Armed
Forces and Eurocopter made the right decisions when the program was
launched,” explained Eurocopter CEO Lutz Bertling. “It is also further
proof of the strong trust that a customer like the French Armed Forces
has placed in us. The Army and Air Force are already operating these
helicopters on a daily basis.” The five helicopters will join the
14 EC725s that are currently in operation with the French Armed Forces.
Since December 2006, the EC725 has been used to support France’s NATO
operations in Afghanistan, performing emergency medical services,
search & rescue missions and escort duties, and providing
humanitarian aid. The EC725 is the latest addition to the Cougar
family. The EC725 is a twin-engine helicopter with a five-bladed main
rotor in the medium-lift category (11 metric tons). The aircraft has an
exceptional fuel capacity with a flight endurance of five-and-a-half
hours and can also be refueled in flight. The multi-purpose EC725 has
been designed to perform various missions, including combat search and
rescue (CSAR), long distance transport, logistics support, and special
operations. 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.
15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the
world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic
market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion Euros, orders for 715 new
helicopters, and a 53 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 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network
of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than
10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800
customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world. For more information, please click external link at bottom of page, or contact Eurocopter Southern Africa by clicking here
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