Germany orders six Airbus EC145 T2 rotorcraft for enforcement missions

Germany’s Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia Police Force), has placed order for six Airbus Helicopters’ EC145 T2 rotorcraft to perform enforcement operations.

Airbus Helicopters Western Europe head, vice-president Thomas Hein said: "The EC145 T2 is well suited for the Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen’s broad range of missions, providing capabilities that come with the world’s most modern law enforcement helicopter."

"We developed the EC145 T2 with police forces in mind, working closely with pilots and officers to meet their operational needs."

With deliveries set to be completed between 2016 and 2017, the new helicopters will assist the Germany’s largest of the 12 state flying police forces in serving North Rhine-Westphalia.

The latest order from Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen marks the second for Airbus from German customer, joining the Landespolizei Baden Württemberg (Baden Württemberg Police Force), which ordered six helicopters in December 2013.

Powered by two new Arriel 2E engines, the EC145 helicopter integrates the company’s Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, together with modernised main and tail rotor gearboxes, in addition to the latest digital avionics suite Helionix with 4-axis autopilot.

The helicopter, in its law enforcement configuration, comprises latest mission management system enabling multi-role capabilities to police forces.

The operator-controlled forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and daylight cameras support the helicopter’s key role for observation and surveillance.

The German Police force currently operates a fleet of EC155s and BK117s, which will now be succeeded by the EC145 T2.

However, police forces across Germany are expected to be equipped with all-Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft fleets.

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Image: Airbus Helicopters’ EC145 T2 rotorcraft. Photo: courtesy of Airbus Helicopters.