Devon and Cornwall has become the second police authority in the U.K. after London Metropolitan to order an EC145 for air support duties. On delivery scheduled for the end of 2009, the Devon and Cornwall EC145 will be used for "a variety of missions." The police authority says that it was attracted by the EC145's capacity, enabling it to carry one or two pilots and eight or nine passengers.

"The two Turbomeca Arriel 1E2 engines gives it a fast cruise speed of 135 kts and pluses include an advanced night vision goggle compatible glass cockpit, digital autopilot for both single or dual pilot applications and an endurance of up to 3.5 hours," it adds. The ongoing modernisation of the police air fleet in Thuringia, Germany, also involves a new EC145. The Polizeihubschrauberstaffel Thuringen operates out of Erfurt airport.