Eurocopter Japan recently signed contracts with Japan’s National Police Agency for a complete of 4 helicopters. Comprising two medium-class and two twin-engine light helicopters, the brand new acquisitions could be deployed to Hyogo Prefectural Police (EC155 B1), Hiroshima Prefectural Police (AS365 N3+), Osaka Prefectural Police (EC135 P2e) and Fukuoka Prefectural Police (EC135 P2e), as replacements for ageing aircraft inside the respective fleets.
The modern-day EC155 B1 from Eurocopter’s Dauphin family often is the National Police Agency’s (NPA) first acquisition of this helicopter type. Incidentally, it’s also the primary Eurocopter rotary-wing aircraft to be operated by Hyogo Prefectural Police, with delivery planned for 2015. Hiroshima Prefectural Police’s AS365 N3+ can also be delivered in 2015; while Osaka and Fukuoka will receive their EC135 P2e in 2014.
The ability to satisfy varying customer needs with quite a lot of products, coupled with the provision of a complete-support system within the country, have enabled Eurocopter Japan to extend its market share inside the law enforcement sector over time. NPA is currently operating a fleet of 29 Eurocopter light-twin and medium-class helicopters around the country, used for police activities including crime-prevention, investigative search and security patrols, in addition to other public service missions together with life-saving operations and transportation.
“We are very honored to have signed the contract with NPA, which shows the trust they’ve got in our products and appreciation of our total-support service commitment,” said Stephane Ginoux, President & CEO of Eurocopter Japan. “We can never emphasize enough on our will to provide the correct and most comprehensive support and services for our customers not just within the area of maintenance, but additionally training, that’s a very important element in ensuring flight safety.”
Both the EC155 B1 and AS365 N3+ come from Eurocopter’s Dauphin family, with the EC155 B1 being the high-end, enhanced version equipped with the newest technologies. Versatile for multi-mission use and well-known for its low vibration and tranquility as a result of Eurocopter’s famous Fenestron tail rotor, the EC155 B1 has a spacious cabin which could accommodate as much as 15 persons (2 pilots + 13 passengers) comfortably. Dauphins are particularly well-received in police, fire-fighting, disaster management and news gathering activities. There are currently 57 Dauphin helicopters operating in Japan.
The EC135 is a mild twin-engine helicopter equipped with state-of-art technology, including Eurocopter’s Fenestron tail rotor. Not just does it have a low noise level compared with helicopters within the same class, additionally it is ready to perform many differing kinds of missions with good fuel efficiency. Used widely for law enforcement and emergency medical services worldwide, it’s also a well-liked machine in Japan, with 75 EC135s currently being operated in various varieties of missions.
Established in 2009, Eurocopter Japan is the Japanese subsidiary of Eurocopter, a division of EADS. It’s the first foreign affiliated aircraft manufacturer to hold out direct sales, training, and customer service activities within the Japanese aeronautical sector. There are about 280 employees allocated at four bases, including Tokyo and Kobe. With greater than 50 years of in-country presence, Eurocopter Japan confirms its leadership position with a 54 percent market share overall in Japan (for the turbine helicopter market, not including defense). Eurocopter Japan makes Japan’s sky safer, more reliable and price-efficient by providing top of the range services and products.