Advanced military solutions and new executive helicopters for the Middle East’s demanding mission needs

With a Dubai Airshow presence dedicated to its customers, Eurocopter will showcase the company’s highly-capable military helicopters – represented at this biennial industry event by the combat-proven EC725 and efficient NH90 – and latest generation of corporate aircraft, including the new EC145 T2 and executive version EC175 being presented for the first time in the Middle East.

Eurocopter’s EC725 and NH90 both have demonstrated their efficiency in the most complex operational theaters, and will be presented at Dubai in scale model form to illustrate their capabilities for customers worldwide. To date, 17 military services from 12 countries have ordered 130 helicopters from the EC725/EC225 family for deployment in Afghanistan, Mali, Europe, Latin and South America, as well as Asia. Eurocopter designed its EC725 from the start as a true multi-role helicopter, capable of performing missions that include SAR, combat SAR, long-distance tactical transport and medical airlift, naval assignments, as well as logistics support and special operations.

The NH90’s naval version is considered as one of the most ambitious multi-national helicopter programs today. Built by NHIndustries – the consortium of Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Fokker – more than 160 NH90s have been delivered to customers so far, accumulating 43 100 total flight hours in SAR operations and other missions in demanding conditions that include the Afghan theater. Compatible with 80 types of NATO frigates, the NH90 naval version has fully demonstrated its capabilities in a wide range of operations, from reconnaissance, ship identification and tracking to rescue and transportation of passengers and troops.

“Eurocopter has the most comprehensive range of helicopters in the world, which offer solutions for Middle East and Arabian Gulf operators,” explained Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “Building on our 40-plus year presence in this region – with more than 600 helicopters flown by civil and military users – Eurocopter is increasing its regional footprint by teaming with local partners for fleet modernization, overhaul and maintenance. Today, this includes the Eurocopter Kingdom Saudi Arabia subsidiary, and a maintenance center in Abu Dhabi with Falcon Aviation Services.”

The EC725 and NH90 scale models, along with an EC130 version, will be included in the pavilion exhibit of EADS, Eurocopter’s parent company. On the aircraft static display line at Dubai World Central beginning November 17 will be Eurocopter’s evolved EC145 T2, an AS350 B3 operated by the local helidubai services company and the next-generation EC175 in its executive version.

Highlighting Eurocopter’s aircraft for parapublic missions, the EC145 T2 on display is an evolved version of the company’s EC145 – an international reference in light utility helicopters, which is in service with such operators as France’s Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale, Germany’s DRF air rescue organization and the German Automobile Club (ADAC); along with many armed forces and police helicopter units around the world. This includes the U.S. Army, whose EC145-derived UH-72A Lakota has been cited by the U.S. Department of Defense as a model defense acquisition program and is one of the most successful, cost-effective aircraft procurement programs in history. As of late October 2013, a total of 279 Lakotas had been delivered to the U.S. Army.

Static display of the AS350 B3 operated by helidubai will put the spotlight on Eurocopter’s category of light helicopters, which also includes the EC130. Representing nearly 40 percent of Eurocopter’s worldwide in-service rotorcraft fleet, some 3,549 AS350s currently are flying around the globe. The AS350 outclasses all other single-engine helicopters for performance, versatility, safety – all with competitive acquisition and maintenance costs. It is the U.S. market’s no. 1 choice for law enforcement agencies and helicopter emergency medical service providers.

Completing Eurocopter’s product line-up for this biennial event is its next-generation EC175, which sets new standards in the medium-sized twin-engine helicopter market segment and is appearing for the first time at Dubai in its executive configuration. With designed-in attributes for a full range of operating conditions, combined with its speed and range, the EC175 is the solution to address all missions, including SAR, emergency medical services, public services, VIP transport and executive airlift.