LAAD Defense & Security exposition in Brazil will feature Eurocopter light- and medium-lift helicopters

Eurocopter’s long-term commitment to Brazilian helicopter operators and industry is being marked at the LAAD Defense & Security exposition

15-4-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — This week’s LAAD Defense & Security exposition will feature a comprehensive lineup of Eurocopter light- and medium-lift helicopters, underscoring the company’s position as a rotorcraft supplier to Brazil’s civil and military operators while also highlighting its role as a strategic partner to the country’s aviation industry.

Rio de Janeiro, Exhibited at the Riocentro convention center in Rio de Janeiro are a Brazilian Army AS350 Fennec, two EC725s from the Brazilian Air Force and Navy fleets, a modernized Panther K2 for the Brazilian Army, an EC145 operated by police in the state of Bahía, and the enhanced AS350 B3e.

The LAAD Defense & Security exposition also provides an opportunity for Eurocopter to mark the 35th anniversary of its Helibras subsidiary in Brazil, and the company will perform a cornerstone laying ceremony for the new Rio de Janeiro facility being built to house a flight simulator for the EC225/EC725 helicopters.

“With its long-term commitment to Brazil, Eurocopter is ready for the next qualitative steps in serving this important market – providing helicopters that best meet operators’ needs while further enhancing our customer support and industrial capabilities,” explained Mesrob Karalekian, Eurocopter’s Vice President – Sales and Customer Relations for the Americas.

To date, 600-plus Eurocopter helicopters have been delivered to military and civil clients in Brazil, with the company holding a 50 percent share of the country’s military and civil markets. The Helibras operation has expanded to include more than 730 employees, and generated an annual turnover of more than 155 million euros.

Helibras’ industrial site at Itajubá in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has become a world-class rotary-wing center of excellence for the production, assembly and maintenance of EC725 helicopters being acquired by Brazil’s three armed forces. This site also creates the framework for potential future helicopter development in the country, along with the evolution of Brazil’s aviation industry supply chain.

“Our presence at LAAD this year is marked with a special milestone, as our company is celebrating its 35th anniversary,” said Helibras CEO Eduardo Marson. “Helibras has experienced strong growth in this time and we are continuing to invest to secure a solid future for our company, with our Brazilian EC725 assembly line now in force and the development of our after-sales capacity”.

At the LAAD Defense & Security exposition, Eurocopter’s AS350 Fennec on display is the military version of the renowned single-engine multi-purpose Ecureuil. The AS350 Fennec was the first helicopter type built by Helibras – with more than 400 of these Brazilian-assembled rotorcraft, known by their Esquilos designation, delivered to date.

The two EC725s participating at this week’s LAAD Defense & Security exposition symbolize the major acquisition of these twin-engine helicopters by Brazil’s armed forces in the largest such contract ever signed in South America. Helibras’ production of EC725s at Itajubá results from a €160 million investment, which includes the facility’s establishment of the various elements necessary for helicopter production, as well as the organization and operation of related training programs for personnel. Also appearing at this week’s LAAD event is the first modernized twin-engine Panther K2 for the Brazilian Army, which will be presented to the military service for its technical evaluations. Helibras won a contract in 2009 for the modernization of 34 Panthers, which includes the integration of new Turbomeca Arriel 2C2 CG engines and communication systems into this version of Eurocopter’s Dauphin helicopter family.

Eurocopter’s presence at the LAAD Defense & Security exposition includes the Bahía police service’s twin-engine EC145 helicopter, which demonstrates the company’s capability to integrate mission equipment in meeting the needs of Brazilian military operators.

Completing the line-up is the display of an enhanced AS350 B3e, featuring improved hot-and-high performance as well as a modern cockpit that incorporates the dual-screen Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display (VEMD).

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 22,000 people. In 2012, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 6.3 billion Euros, orders for 469 new helicopters and a 38 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s helicopters account for 33 percent of the worldwide civil and parapublic fleet. Eurocopter’s strong international presence is ensured by its subsidiaries and participations in 21 countries. Eurocopter’s worldwide network of service centers, training facilities, distributors and certified agents supports more than 2,900 customers. There are currently more than 11,780 Eurocopter helicopters in service in 148 countries. Eurocopter offers the most comprehensive civil and military helicopter range in the world and is fully committed to safety as the most important aspect of its business