Article Posted on : - Apr 05, 2013

EC725 Caracal helicopter. Photo: EADS.

LODZ, POLAND (BNS): European helicopter manufacture Eurocopter has signed an industrial cooperation agreement to set up two assembly lines within Poland for the EC725 Caracal helicopter and its Makila 2 turboshaft engines.

The agreement was inked on Thursday between Eurocopter, Turbomeca, a French maker of helicopter engines and European Aviation Company Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze No. 1 (WZL-1), an EADS release said.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk had earlier announced plans to buy 70 helicopters as part of modernisation plans for the Polish army and that companies planning to submit their tenders must manufacture the helicopters in Poland, according to reports.

The EC725 Caracal is a modern, multi-role 11-metric-ton-class helicopter designed for armed operations, troop transport, rescue duties and logistics support.

Equipped with a five-blade main rotor system and the latest in avionics and systems, it carries up to 29 passengers in addition to the flight crew. Flight endurance is 5.5 hours with the helicopter's impressive fuel capacity.

Current EC725 Caracal customers range from France, Brazil and Mexico to Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.