Eurocopter has signed a contract to supply an EC225 helicopter for Spain following its recent success in the country’s competition to select a new rotary-wing aircraft for maritime search & rescue (SAR) and pollution control operations.

This marks one of the first stages in a national rescue plan to be implemented by the Spanish Maritime Safety Agency (SASEMAR), and is designed to provide air assets in the form of large helicopters for missions in the southern part of the Bay of Biscay and in the Canary Islands. SASEMAR is a public enterprise affiliated with the Spanish Ministry of Development through the Directorate-General of the Merchant Navy.

The new EC225 is to replace one of SASEMAR’s Sikorsky S-61N helicopters, and will provide the agency with a high-performance asset for maritime SAR and surveillance operations in all weather conditions. Offering enhanced capacity, range and autonomy, the EC225 is equipped with cutting-edge technical innovations for navigation and SAR.

Successful worldwide deployments of the EC225 helicopter in search & rescue configurations – particularly in challenging operating environments such as the North Sea, Southeast Asia, Brazil, China, Taiwan and Japan – makes it the perfect choice for the new duties with Spain. The agreement for SASEMAR’s EC225 was signed by Eurocopter Spain, the Spanish-based affiliate of Eurocopter.