The UK's West Midlands Police air support unit is bringing an EC135 into service to temporarily replace a helicopter destroyed by an arson attack until a new aircraft can be delivered in the summer of 2010.

Eurocopter announced at Helitech 2009 at the UK's Imperial War Museum near Duxford that it had provided the temporary aircraft, which features a mission pod, at short notice. West Midlands police reported that neighbouring forces had been helping out with aerial support in the interim while it was without a helicopter.

Helitech's static display featured 42 rotary aircraft including the new EC135P2i of Suffolk Police and the Metropolitan Police air support unit's EC145. Sue Bradshaw, the event's exhibition director, says thousands attended with this year's event attracting more than 200 exhibiting companies from 21 different countries.

Sikorsky presented a ceremonial cheque to the RAF Museum, in addition to donating an MH-53. Sergei Sikorsky handed over the cheque.