Airbus Helicopters and Babcock will support 48 EC145 helicopters of the French Ministry of Interior including technical support, supply of spare parts, transport of spares and stock management, technical data management, and software support.
Airbus Helicopters and Babcock have been awarded a 12-year contract to support 48 EC145 helicopters operated by the French Ministry of Interior. This significant agreement, starting this year, was signed with the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé), the body responsible for the maintenance of aircraft operated by the French government. The contract encompasses support for 33 EC145s operated by the Sécurité Civile and 15 EC145s operated by the Gendarmerie air forces, spread across 41 bases in France, including five bases in French overseas territories. The agreement includes technical support, the supply of spare parts, logistics solutions such as transport of spares and stock management, technical data management, and software support.
Under this contract, Airbus Helicopters and Babcock will ensure the availability of the Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie EC145s for their essential missions. The EC145s operated by Sécurité Civile are used for search and rescue, emergency medical services, and firefighting missions, while the Gendarmerie EC145s also participate in law enforcement operations.
“The Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale play a key role in safeguarding our communities in France. We are proud to have signed this contract which demonstrates their confidence in us and strengthens our partnership,” said Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President Customer Support and Services, Airbus Helicopters. “We measure our responsibility in guaranteeing that their EC145s are available 24/7 for their critical missions,” he further added.
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Airbus is also committed to the renewal of the Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie’s helicopter fleets. The Sécurité Civile currently operates four new H145 helicopters ordered in 2021, which are also supported by Airbus Helicopters and Babcock. In late 2023, a contract was signed for an additional 42 H145s for the French Ministry of Interior—36 for the Sécurité Civile and six for the Gendarmerie. Deliveries of these new aircraft will begin in 2024.
Question – What does the contract between Airbus Helicopters and Babcock entail?
Answer – Support for 48 EC145 helicopters of the French Ministry of Interior.
Question – Who is responsible for the maintenance of the French government’s aircraft?
Answer – Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé).
Question – What are the main missions of the EC145 helicopters operated by Sécurité Civile?
Answer – Search and rescue, emergency medical services, firefighting.
