The French government has selected Airbus Helicopters and Babcock to support the Interior Ministry’s EC145 light utility aircraft fleet.
Under the 12-year deal, the two companies will provide technical support, spare parts, logistics solutions, technical data management and software support to sustain the aircraft’s missions, mostly involving rescue operations, air medical transport and law enforcement.
Airbus said the contract will service Securite Civile’s 33 EC145s and Gendarmerie Nationale’s 15 EC145 choppers deployed across 41 local bases and five overseas installations.
According to Romain Trapp, executive vice president for customer support and services at Airbus Helicopters, the contract demands that the aircraft fleet be always ready for critical missions.
“We are proud to have signed this contract, which demonstrates their confidence in us and strengthens our partnership,” Trapp noted.
Babcock said its part of the agreement requires the delivery of aircraft support and maintenance at its Le Cannet-des-Maures facilities. The contractor will also manage ground support resources and spare parts inventory in Nimes Garons.
In addition, the partner companies will support the Interior Ministry’s retirement program for the EC145, which will be phased out to make way for Airbus’ H145 helicopters.
France awarded Airbus a contract in late 2023 to acquire 42 units of H145, which the company will start delivering in 2024.