Article Posted on : - Aug 05, 2010

The EC225 helicopter.

PARIS (BNS): French Navy has received the second of its two EC225 maritime safety helicopter from the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA).

The helicopters, ordered from European defence major EADS in December 2009, will replace the Super Frelon choppers that retired recently from the French Navy.

The new aircraft will operate from the Finistère naval airbase.

The EC225 is a multi-role civilian offshore support helicopter designed for search and rescue operations.

The twin-engine chopper can carry two crew members and up to 24 passengers and fly at a maximum speed of 325 km per hour.