The Ministry of Communications in China reinforces its fleet with the delivery of the first 2 EC 225 helicopters in China

Eurocopter is pleased to deliver the first 2 EC 225s in China to the Ministry of Communications (MOC) in Zhuhai on the 18th December 07, in the presence of Captain Jiahui SONG, Director General of the Rescue and Salvage Bureau (MOC) and Mr. Philippe Harache, Senior Executive Vice-President of Eurocopter.

This handing-over ceremony marks an on-time delivery and is proof of Eurocopter’s commitment to its customers worldwide.

The 2 EC 225s will be operated by the China Rescue and Salvage (CRS) Bureau to ensure Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. These 2 new additions will strengthen the MOC’s existing fleet of 10 helicopters and 1 fixed wing aircraft and will no doubt further contribute to its track record of 518 successful missions and 548 lives saved during the operations.

The EC 225 is the latest addition to the Super Puma family in the 10/11 ton class and benefits from its experience in SAR operations. Having performed its maiden flight in 2000, the EC 225 is a highly reliable machine which is able to fly further, smoother and faster than any other aircraft in its category, in optimal safety conditions.

The EC 225 is equipped with unrivalled flight control and autopilot systems and is capable of carrying out missions with outstanding precision day and night. Its high stability allows for efficient hoisting operations which is essential in SAR operations. In order to allow the helicopters to fly at ease under all-weather conditions, the MOC EC 225 in particular, are equipped with a rotor de-icing system.

This results in the EC 225 having an improved performance for complex missions, enhanced comfort and a high survivability in most strenuous and vast environments.

Since its launch in 2004, more than 40 helicopters from the EC 225 family have already been ordered and the total number of deliveries for the Super Puma/ EC 225 family has increased to over 650. There are currently around 20 Super Pumas flying in China.

Today, it is without doubt that there is no equivalent to the helicopter, which plays an essential part in ensuring the citizens’ security in times of disaster relief.

According to international experts, more than 3 million lives have been saved since the creation of the helicopter. Eurocopter is naturally proud to offer life-saving tools to the People’s Republic of China.

Within the country, the Government Flying Service in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is already operating an extensive fleet of EC 155 and AS 332 Super Puma helicopters.

The delivery of the first EC 225s in China is certainly a key milestone in establishing a fruitful cooperation with the MOC, and Eurocopter is committed to provide the CRS fleet with its expertise in SAR missions as well as with the most efficient technical support.

To further increase customer proximity in the country, Eurocopter thus created a subsidiary in Shanghai “Eurocopter China” in December 2006, thus extending its footprint from Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

This first delivery of the EC 225s in China also marks an important milestone for Eurocopter, who has a history of a 40-year presence and 20-year co-operation in China. For it is noteworthy that Eurocopter, one of the world’s leading helicopter manufacturers, is China’s No. 1 helicopter partner.

In the Chinese market for civil helicopters, Eurocopter is by far the leader with more than 45 percent market share. Since the 1960s, Eurocopter has sold more than 120 helicopters in China. In 2006, Eurocopter achieved a sales figure of US $150 million for the Chinese market.

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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