Tue, Mar 21, 2006
Will Also Set Up New Assembly Line
Eurocopter announced
Tuesday that, as part of the Spain's ongoing modernization of its
security forces, the Spanish Ministry of Interior will acquire 48
EC135 helicopters for the Guardia Civil and Cuerpo Nacional de
Policía within the next eight years. When the program is
complete, 51 helicopters -- the 48 new helicopters, plus three
EC135s already in service -- will be in use throughout the
country.
"Today’s announcement is a great success for Eurocopter
since we consider Spain as being one of the most important
helicopter markets in terms of strategic growth", states Fabrice
Brégier, CEO and President of Eurocopter, the world's
largest helicopter manufacturer. "Furthermore it is a crucial move
towards an even more integrated and highly competitive European
aerospace industry, as Spain acquires, with this helicopter
program, a decisive aeronautic-industrial competence."
Part of the agreement includes setting up an assembly line for
the EC135 in Albacete, at the local Eurocopter España site.
Next to final assembly activities, Eurocopter España will
also develop and install the highly innovative mission-specific
equipment and execute the concluding ground and flight tests.
"Spain now possesses persistent capabilities to produce
helicopters within the Eurocopter family", Fabrice Brégier
points out.
This announcement follows the signature of the Tiger HAD
contract, and the selection for the Spanish Ministry of Defence of
the NH90 as its common medium helicopter for the Armed Forces.
Eurocopter expects
Spain's decision to go with more EC135s will further consolidate
and strengthen Eurocopter España as the third pillar of the
Eurocopter Group, as well as promote the creation of employment and
auxiliary industry.
The EC135 is the reference helicopter for police missions with
more than 500 units sold all over the world since its market
introduction in mid-1996.
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