The German federal police (Bundespolizei) has signed a support-by-hour contract with Safran Helicopter Engines, covering its H120 fleet. This contract formalises a long-term MRO and service agreement supporting a total of 11 Arrius 2F engines. The Bundespolizei currently operates 10 H120 helicopters for training missions.

This is the second SBH contract signed with the Bundespolizei. The first one was signed in July 2012, covering 36 Arrius 2B2 engines powering H135s operated by the German police for EMS and owned by the federal office of civil protection and disaster assistance (BBK). The Bundespolizei operates from 12 bases around Germany.

This new contract will be managed by Safran Helicopter Engines Germany, which supports more than 300 operators flying in Germany, Scandinavia, central and eastern Europe, Russia and central Asia, with almost 2,000 engines.

Safran Helicopter Engines Germany CEO Francis Larribau says: “We are proud that the Bundespolizei has renewed its confidence in Safran Helicopter Engines and its SBH support contract, and we look forward to delivering it world-class services and supporting it in its most demanding missions.”

SBH is Safran Helicopter Engines' support-by-the-hour programme. It makes engine operating costs predictable, eliminates cash peaks and allows flexibility for scheduled and unscheduled MRO coverage. It now covers 50 per cent of Safran Helicopter Engines' customer turbines' flying hours.

SBH and Health Monitoring are part of EngineLife Services, Safran's range of solutions for helicopter engines.