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.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com, www.mir.es/ (in Spanish)