Article Posted on : - Apr 30, 2010

The Super Frelon helicopter. A French Navy photo

PARIS (BNS): The Super Frelon military transport helicopters deployed in the French Navy are retiring from active service on Friday.

A Super Frelon aircraft made its last landing atop the Mistral warship in the North Sea few days ago.

The French Navy’s 32F fleet operated a total of four such aircraft to carry out anti-warfare and search and rescue missions for nearly four decades. The fleet had received the Super Frelons in 1970.

The helicopters also carried out patrolling duties in support of the Redoutable class ballistic missile submarines. Some were also modified to fit Exocet anti-ship missiles.

The NH90 helicopters will replace the Super Frelons which France is expected to receive from Eurocopter in 2011, the French Navy said. The country has placed an order for 27 NH90s.

Meanwhile, French Navy received its first EC225 maritime security (SECMAR) helicopter from EADS on April 22, 2010.

The Navy had placed an order for two such choppers in 2009. The second EC225 will be delivered to it in June this year, the Navy said.