Eurocopter to deliver two EC225 rescue helicopters to France

Hervé Morin, the Minister of Defense, announced the award of an order for two maritime security helicopters (SECMAR). The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) on 1st December 2009 awarded a purchase order for two EC 225 civil helicopters to Eurocopter (EADS group). Both aircraft will be operated by the French navy, and will replace Super Frélon helicopters that will soon be retired for Search and Rescue missions. Their arrival on the naval aviation base at Lanvéoc (Finistère), from which they will operate, is scheduled for March and June 2010. A helicopter in the 11 metric ton category, the EC 225 can carry up to 24 passengers. Its maximum speed is 325 km / h. For maritime search and rescue missions, the EC 225 is equipped with a winch capable of hoisting two people simultaneously or a stretcher. Its 4-axis autopilot allows it to hold the hover over the area of intervention even in badly degraded weather conditions. Its crew includes two pilots, a winch operator, a rescue diver and a doctor when needed.