The Austrian Automobile Association (ÖAMTC) has purchased eleven of Eurocopter's EC 135 light-twin helicopters for air rescue purposes, a contract worth 34 million Euros. The EC 135 was selected against competition from Europe and the US.

At present, seven EC 135 helicopters are already in service with the ÖAMTC. The recent order makes it potentially the largest EC 135 operator worldwide.

The order has been placed following the Austrian Ministry of the Interior's authorisation of the ÖAMTC to operate its air rescue services.

The ÖAMTC will take over the eight air rescue stations which have up to now been government maintained; the additional eleven helicopters have been purchased to perform the growing number of tasks.

With a total of 13 stations, it is reported that the ÖAMTC will have one of the most densely serviced air rescue networks in Europe.

The first delivery will go ahead in December 2000; in early 2002 the fleet will have reached its full size.

The equipment features among others the Eurocopter glass cockpit "avionique nouvelle," which is also designed to enable the use of night vision goggles, and the double cargo hook for rope recovery.

Since the introduction in the market in 1996, over 200 EC 135 helicopters have been sold to 50 customers.