Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has selected the Defender 4000 as its preferred aircraft to complement its helicopter India 99 in providing air to ground policing for its communities.

The aircraft boasts state-of-the-art equipment including daylight and thermal cameras, digital radio system and ‘moving map’ technology.

It is the first police aircraft in the UK able to send and receive images in flight to other aircraft, says manufacturer B-N Group. With a live video link the aircraft is equipped to increase the GMP’s use of video evidence in court.

The Defender 4000 will engage in proactive duties in support of operational policing. It has a flight endurance beyond five hours and is on schedule to be operational for this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Assistant chief constable Med Hughes commented: “Greater Manchester is a 24/7 cosmopolitan county with increasing demands on all public services.

“We are committed to providing the highest standard of policing to our communities and the purchase of

an aircraft will certainly enable us to enhance our air to ground policing service.

“The aircraft will improve the support available for ground patrols and help return officers to their duties by reducing time searching or on containment.”