Marking a milestone in India’s development of modern heliborne resources to support life-saving missions, Indian business aviation firm Aviators Pvt Ltd, on February 14, signed a firm order for an initial batch of seven Eurocopter EC135 aircraft for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations. The agreement was signed in the presence of French President François Hollande.
A second order is expected to be carried out later this year. Rapid growth is anticipated in the HEMS market – as many as 50 helicopters are expected to be deployed throughout the country in the coming years. The first deliveries will take place by late 2013.
“As the EC135 is a global reference in helicopter emergency medical services, it is highly appropriate that Aviators will introduce such operations in India with these extremely capable helicopters,” said Norbert Ducrot, senior vice president-Asia Pacific, Eurocopter.
The EC135 is operated worldwide for a broad range of missions, including HEMS, law enforcement, rescue operations and business aviation. Equipped with a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor and bearingless main rotor, the helicopter delivers excellent performance, range and payload capacity. Its large, unobstructed cabin, oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable rapid loading/unloading of patients and equipment – even with the rotors turning – which facilitates operations during time-critical emergency medical missions.
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