Tuesday
October 3, 2006 :
A True Helicopter Commitment with Greece
DEFENDORY 2006, ( Eurocopter Press Release ) -
Greece presently operates more than 35 Eurocopter helicopters of the BO 105, AS 350/355
Ecureuil, Alouette and Super Puma types in police, rescue, SAR and commercial services.
In 1998, the Greek Merchant Marine ordered 4 Super Puma AS 332 C1 helicopters for
Search And Rescue (SAR) duties. This was followed in 2002 by another contract for 4 Super
Puma AS 332 C1s for Combat SAR missions for the Hellenic Air Force, and in 2004 an
additional 2 aircraft with Medevac configuration.
In 2003, Eurocopter and the Greek MoD signed a contract for the supply of six Dauphin AS
365 N3 helicopters. Entered in service for the 2004 Olympic Games and fitted with radar,
infrared cameras, loudspeakers and emergency flotation gear, the helicopters perform day
and night surveillance and patrol missions for the Port Police. They are now operated
together with greek port police and Navy pilots.
Other sales include two EC 135 for the Hellenic Police, three BK 117, two AS 332 L1 for the
Hellenic Fire Brigade and eight EC120 for commercial operators.
In 2003, the Hellenic Army Aviation ordered twenty NH-90 military transport helicopter (plus
14 options), proving the trust of the Greek government in EADS as a global and longstanding
partner. The first helicopters should be operational by end of 2006.
Operational requirements of the Hellenic Army, may lead to an increase in the number of
options to be exercised by the Greek government.
NH90 to soon Equip Hellenic Armed Forces
DEFENDORY 2006, ( Eurocopter Press Release ) -
Eurocopter will deliver to the Hellenic Armed Forces their first NH90 helicopters in the
coming months. The contract signature for the acquisition of 20 NH 90 helicopters
plus 14 options for the Hellenic Army took place on August 29, 2003, in Athens.
The 20 NH90 firm order, worth close to 657 million euros, includes 16 Tactical Transport
variants and 4 Special Operations variants to be delivered over the next few years and to be
operated by the Hellenic Army. All helicopters can be converted into Medevac variant with 4
ordered roll change medical kits. The 14 options are composed of 12 tactical transport and 2
special operation variants.
All the NH90 to be operated by the Hellenic Armed Forces are equipped with
Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9 engines.
The deal also includes a series of offset benefits outlined in a November 2004 Letter of Intent
signed by the Greek government and EADS, the parent company of Eurocopter.
Part of this agreement is the creation of a Composite Facility at Tanagra, to be operated by
the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI), which broke ground in February this year.
Sixteen of Greece’s NH90s will be operated by the Army Aviation and four NH90s will
service the needs of the Special Operation Forces (SOF). The first Hellenic serial production
NH 90 flew for the first time in July 2005.
The NH90 program, led by Eurocopter, now totals 400 firm orders confirming its status of
biggest helicopter program ever launched by Europe. The NH90 has been ordered by 12
countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Norway,
Sweden, Greece, Oman, Australia and New-Zealand. Due to its multi-role capability, the
NH90 is able to fulfil a large variety of missions and has been selected for Army, Air Force,
Navy and SAR services.
Now “Combat Proven” the Eurocopter EC725 is the Best Tool ever Produced
to Ensure the future Hellenic Armed Forces SAR & Combat SAR Missions
DEFENDORY 2006, ( Eurocopter Press Release ) -
Currently the most accomplished helicopter in the world for Combat Search And
Rescue (CSAR) operations, the EC725 will progressively take over from the former
generation helicopters, offering substantially improved operational capabilities. It
could perfectly fits the Greece new requirements for long distance SAR missions with
an increased useful load.
Latest member of the Cougar family the EC 725 benefits from the experience acquired by its
predecessors and from major technical advances. It is a twin-engine, medium-weight
helicopter in the 11 metric ton class with significantly enhanced performances, designed for
long-distance tactical transport, SAR and Combat SAR missions, medical transport, and
logistic support. It can also be used for naval operations.
Notable new features of the EC725 include an entirely new main rotor head, a reinforced
main gearbox, new engines, and a new integrated piloting and display system.
Let us remind that the 10th of May, 2006, the Combat Search & Rescue EC 725 were
officially declared operational within the French Air Force and became “combat proven” when
utilized in Lebanon to evacuate the French nationals in July 2006.
The French Air Force, which is the EC725 launch customer, will ultimately operate 6 of the
helicopters – 4 have already been delivered – for CSAR missions. The French Army will
acquire 8 EC725s – 7 have already been received – for duties with the Special Operations
Squadron.
Today 48 aircraft from the EC225/EC 725 family have already been sold to 13 customers in
11 countries.
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a
world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs
approx. 13,000 people. In 2005, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1
helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.2 billion euros, orders for 401 new helicopters,
and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s
products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide
presence is ensured by its 16 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of
distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,500 Eurocopter
helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 139 countries. Eurocopter
offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
NHIndustries is a company owned by Eurocopter (62,5%), Agusta (32%) and Stork Fokker
(5,5%).
news: First Flight Of The Hellenic Multirole NH90 Jul 13,2005
news: Greek authorities Take Delivery of Their First Two SAR Super Pumas Dec 21,1999
NHI NH90
Puma / Cougar
Eurocopter EC Models
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