The Czech Ministry of the Interior signed a contract at this year’s Helitech show for eight EC135 light twin helicopters to equip its police aviation department. The aircraft will be delivered between 2003 and 2008. The contract value is 36 million euros.

The Czech police will use its EC135s for surveillance, anti-terrorism and emergency medical service missions. With this new order Eurocopter becomes fleet leader with the Czech police aviation depart-ment, which currently operates five Bell 412s and two BO105s.

The contract includes a comprehensive offset programme to the benefit of the Czech police aviation department and other Czech companies. Eurocopter says the programme is designed to allow the Czech police to operate and maintain its EC135 fleet on its territory under the best technical and economical conditions.

Said a Eurocopter spokesman: “Numerous additional opportunities in aerospace and various fields of activity will maximise the benefits of the contract for the Czech industry.”