Police and border patrol agencies throughout Europe are upgrading their helicopter fleets while Spain is introducing a fixed wing dimension to its patrols. Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Holland are among countries that are strengthening their capacity to fight crime and combat illegal immigration into Europe.

The Spanish interior ministry has ordered two CASA CN-235 aircraft in maritime patrol configuration for operation by the Servicio Aereo de la Guardia Civil. "These will be the first fixed wing aircraft to serve with these hitherto helicopter forces," the Guardia Civil notes. One aircraft will be based in the Canary Islands and the other in the south of Spain. They will combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration as well as conducting border patrol and maritime search and rescue missions. The first CN-235 will be delivered in mid-2008 and the second in the spring of 2009. Both will be equipped with FLIR and an EADS CASA FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System).

In France, the Delegation Generale pour l'Armement (DGA) has ordered additional BK117C2 and EC145 helicopters designed to enable the Securite Civile to phase out six remaining Sud Alouette III helicopters from January 2009 and boost its EC145 fleet to 30.

Meanwhile, in Germany, the Bundespolizei (federal police), who have officially stood down the Sud SA318C Alouette II after more than 45 years of service, are now using the EC120B Colibri for training. The SA318C entered service with the border guard, Bundesgrenzschutz in 1962.

AgustaWestland has delivered the first batch of AW109Ns to the Italian Carabinieri. The aircraft were accepted by Col. Luca Corbo, chief of aviation and naval services, Italian Carabinieri military service, at the company's Vergiate plant in Italy. He says: "The AW109N will greatly enhance the carabinieri's homeland security operational capabilities and is being incorporated as the 'new generation' light twin helicopter, replacing older models."

The Netherlands Police Agency has ordered two AW139 twin turbines. They will be used by the Dutch police KLPD (Korps landelijke politiediensten) for law enforcement and homeland security. The KLPD says: "The AW139 law enforcement has the largest cabin in its class with large sliding doors to enable easy and quick access and to perform fast roping.

"The cabin also allows easy configuration changes to meet operational requirements. The AW139 internally and externally accessible separate baggage compartment of 3.4m3 is large enough to carry a multitude of mission specific equipment. With a maximum speed of 165 knots and excellent range and endurance the AW139 can be quickly deployed to any crime scene or accident location." The KLPD is also bringing six EC135 P2i light twin-engine helicopters into service. The aircraft are to be delivered in 2009 and will replace the BO105s currently in service.

The KLPD says: "The new EC135 can accommodate a pilot and six or seven crew or two pilots and five or six crew. With night vision goggle compatible cockpits, it is capable of night-flight operations and is certified for single pilot IFR flight." For specific missions, the helicopters will be fitted with FLIR, a video downlink system and a 20-inch operator screen with "picture in picture" system. Additionally, the Dutch Coast Guard has temporarily increased its current fixed wing fleet of Dornier 228 aircraft to three.