ADAC Air Rescue is continuing the process of introducing EC145 and EC135 helicopters as replacements for its BK117 fleet, and placed orders for 14 EC145 T2 and three EC135 P2e, to be delivered 2013-2017.

"ADAC's commitments for new helicopters and their associated SAR equipment represent an investment of over e130 million in the future of air rescue operations in Germany," managing director Stefan Wessling explains. "Eurocopter is providing an aircraft with unbeatable performance characteristics to replace our BK117 helicopters over the long-term."

Eurocopter's Wolfgang Schoder says: "We are very pleased that ADAC has once again chosen Eurocopter, marking a continuation of more than 40 years in our close and successful cooperation. With the EC145 T2, ADAC will be operating the newest aircraft in the light twin-engine helicopter category. It was developed in close consultation with air rescue organisations with the specific aim of further satisfying operators' exacting safety and performance requirements."

With an existing fleet of 49 helicopters, ADAC is one of Eurocopter's largest European customers in the emergency medical services market segment.

The "yellow angels," as ADAC's helicopters are sometimes called, operate from more than 35 helicopter bases across Germany.

The new helicopters will be fitted with medical equipment and the communication tools needed for rescue operations. Sporting ADAC's classic yellow livery, they will be deployed as air ambulances for transporting intensive care patients from one hospital to another, as well as in rescue missions.