Airbus Helicopters Japan has delivered an EC225 LP to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), which was acquired as replacement for an aircraft that was destroyed during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. This is the last of three EC225s ordered by JCG in July 2011; the earlier two having been delivered last year.

With the three additional helicopters, JCG now operates a Super Puma fleet that includes five EC225s and three AS332 L1s. The new EC225s are equipped with the most advanced search and rescue mission systems, and will be utilized as well for security enforcement, territorial sea guard duties and anti-disaster operations.

“We are very honoured that our helicopters are operated by JCG, one of the world’s leading maritime security organizations, and contributing to life-saving and enforcement missions,” said Stephane Ginoux, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Japan. “This handover is especially significant, as it is the 3000th rotorcraft to be delivered from our hangar since we commenced operations in 1971, marking a new milestone in the history of Airbus Helicopters in Japan.”

The EC225 is an 11-ton class, twin-engine helicopter from the Super Puma family, equipped with the latest electronic devices and state-of-the-art autopilot system. It features fast cruise speed, superior range and large capacity for equipment.

A total of 23 Super Puma family helicopters are operating in Japan, utilized by both civil and military users in search and rescue, offshore operations and passenger transport.

About Airbus Helicopters Japan
Airbus Helicopters Japan was established in 2009 as the Japanese customer center of Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus Group. It is the first foreign affiliated aircraft manufacturer to carry out direct sales, training, and customer support activities in the Japanese aeronautical sector. There are approximately 290 employees allocated at four locations, including Tokyo and Kobe. With more than 50 years of in-country presence, Airbus Helicopters Japan confirms its leadership position with a 55 percent market share overall in Japan (civil and parapublic sectors). Airbus Helicopters Japan makes Japan’s sky safer, more reliable and cost-efficient by providing high quality products and services.

About Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters is a division of Airbus Group, a global pioneer in aerospace and defense related services. Airbus Helicopters is the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer and employs more than 23,000 people worldwide. With 44 percent market share in civil and parapublic sectors, the company’s fleet in service includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3,000 customers in more than 150 countries. Airbus Helicopters’ international presence is marked by its 29 customer centers and participations and its worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents. Airbus Helicopters’ range of civil and military helicopters is the world’s largest; its aircraft account for one third of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. The company’s chief priority is to ensure the safe operation of its aircraft for the thousands of people who fly more than 3 million hours per year.