Eurocopter to supply another two AS332 L1 helicopters

Eurocopter will supply a further two AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters to the Finnish Border Guard. The aircraft will be used for maritime search and rescue and both are scheduled for delivery in 2015.

The helicopters will be configured as the AS332 L1e version, incorporating the integrated advanced cockpit and automatic flight control systems used on Eurocopter’s EC225 helicopter. They are to be based at Helsinki and outfitted for day/night operations – equipped with high-definition forward-looking infrared (FLIR) technology, a four-axis autopilot and full deicing.

Signing of the agreement was performed in Helsinki by Brigadier General Mikko Kirjavainen, substitute Chief of the Finnish Border Guard, and Navy Captain Jukka Jaakkola, Chief of the Technical Department for the Finnish Border Guard headquarters; with Jacques Cardaillac, Eurocopter’s head of sales for Northern Europe and Benelux, as well as Eurocopter sales manager Didier Parasme.

The Finnish Border Guard already operates three AS332 L1 helicopters, which are assigned to its Turku base on the southwest coast of Finland.

“This latest acquisition once again demonstrates the AS332’s qualities in highly demanding missions, and it underscores the Finnish Border Guard’s continued confidence in the Super Puma as a long-time operator,” explained Cardaillac.