Peru’s Ministry of the Interior has now added the final EC145 helicopter to the modernized fleet of the National Police of Peru (PNP). The formal handover at the Police Aviation Unit facilities in El Callao was attended by both Peruvian and French officials, including Peru’s interior minister Daniel Urresti and Daniel Leimbacher, chief of the Central Air Command of the French Gendarmerie, along with representatives of Airbus Helicopters.

Five EC145s have been delivered in less than one year since the PNP first selected Airbus Helicopters as its partner to renew its helicopter fleet. The first four aircraft have already accumulated more than 800 flying hours in that time, performing a wide range of missions that demonstrate the EC145’s versatility and operational efficiency throughout Peru’s territory. In addition to surveillance operations and support for parapublic missions, the EC145 has proven itself to be a reliable and effective ally in the PNP’s fight against illegal mining in the Madre de Dios region on the border with Bolivia and Brazil. The helicopters have also successfully completed more than 20 sea rescue and MEDEVAC missions in Lima and Callao.

The deal for these new EC145s includes a technology transfer program that has already provided training for more than 14 pilots and 20 technicians of the PNP. In addition, the PNP and the French Gendarmerie – both operators of the EC145 – have been engaged in an operational exchange program to provide in-depth training on the tactical uses of these next-generation aircraft. This exchange is part of the cooperation agreement signed between the French and Peruvian interior ministries in the field of security and defense in October 2013. Just a few weeks ago, the PNP participated in high-mountain rescue exercises in the French Alps as part of this program.

The EC145 is the helicopter of choice in the light twin-engine category and is renowned worldwide for police and public service missions. With more than 500 units delivered to date, this helicopter serves in the police fleets of 26 countries – including France, where the Gendarmerie Nationale operates more than 15 units. The EC145 has also been a major success in the Americas, starting with the United States, where the government purchased 345 units to replace the Army’s UH-1Hs. In Latin America, the EC145 performs police and public service missions in a number of countries including Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil.

Powerful and versatile, the Airbus Helicopters EC145 is perfectly suited to the operating conditions in Peru, ensuring the success of missions in extreme conditions whether at sea level, in the jungle or up on the demanding Andean Plateau. With a payload capacity of more than 1.7 tons and a range of 370 nautical miles, the PNP’s new EC145s can transport up to 10 passengers. They are also equipped with PA systems, a siren and multi-frequency radios for hub-and-spoke communications. One of the helicopters features a state-of-the-art infrared camera. This new high-definition camera, the only one in the country, will transmit live images to the command center or ground units, which will optimize surveillance and civil security missions.