Eurocopter sets out its stall for IDEX

More than 650 Eurocopter helicopters currently are flying in across the Middle East and through the Arabian Gulf, with over than 80 percent of them in military use to support missions that include combat, transport, search and rescue (SAR), counter-terrorism, special operations and training.
New business opportunities for Eurocopter include the evolving needs in air coverage for security, border patrol missions and support missions; the expanded civilian operations resulting from an opening of airspace that had been reserved for the military in numerous countries; and the overall renewal of aging rotary-wing aircraft fleets.
“With a strong footprint in the region, we continue to see a demand for our helicopters across a full spectrum of military and civilian use,” said Xavier Hay, Eurocopter's Vice President for Middle East and Africa. “Equipped with the latest technology, they are able to perform their missions in the most severe operational environments and challenging situations.”
One area of development foreseen by Eurocopter is in corporate airlift and oil & gas transportation, especially with the relaxation of airspace regulations for such civilian flight activity
in many Middle East and Gulf countries. Eurocopter’s EC135 and EC145, which are marketleading helicopters in their segments around the world, and are strong candidates for new orders in the region, along with the new-generation EC175 – which has entered production and will be certified late this year.
Police and law enforcement agencies are prime Eurocopter customers in a large number of Gulf countries. A complete range of Eurocopter light twin helicopters from two to four tonnes – incorporating the AS355, BK117, EC135, EC145 and Dauphin N3 – already are protecting the population in the Arab world.
To meet the Arab world’s requirements for highly-capable multi-role military helicopters, Eurocopter’s Fennec AS550 is a proven aircraft suited for extremely hot climates and high altitudes. Applications include combat missions, fire support, observation, protection and training. More than 4,850 helicopters from the Ecureuil/Fennec family in single-engine and twinengine variants have been delivered to over 90 countries, which include such customers as the United Arab Emirates’ armed forces.
Eurocopter also remains active in providing the best support to its customers, and was recently awarded the overhaul of several Puma and Super Puma military fleets in the Arab world.
Eurocopter has a maintenance centre in the United Arab Emirates with long-standing partner Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), through an operating agreement that was renewed last month.
This centre provides full maintenance and revision services, reinforcing the company’s customer support network in the region and supplementing Eurocopter’s platform in Abu Dhabi. In addition, Eurocopter technical offices are in development locally for the daily support of its Middle East customers.