The Bavarian police helicopter squadron is acquiring eight EC135 P2is scheduled for delivery between September 2009 and April 2010.

"In view of the ever- growing demands on police work," says interior minister Joachim Herrmann, "we are making this new purchase to provide our police helicopter squadron with the latest machines including customized police equipment.

In the 1970s, police helicopters were used only for traffic monitoring. Since then, however, they have adopted a variety of other tasks, including crime fighting, missing-persons searches, support in disaster relief missions, and the handling of special traffic and mission situations. Our police helicopter squadron is in service 24 hours a day and requires the best equipment available to support its work."

Police-specific helicopter equip-ment includes FLIR camera, high resolution digital day and night vision camera, Satcom, GPS, digital map device, digital radio, collision warning system, tactical direction finder, digital flight management system and a GSM telephone.

Herrmann says other pluses include glass cockpits approved for operations with night vision goggles. He adds: "A rescue hoist, an external load hook system and four rescue winches are also part of the contract as and when required. "