Finnish Border Guard selects AS332 L1 Super Puma

Eurocopter will supply two additional AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopters to the Finnish Border Guard under a new agreement announced on 20 December. The company will supply both aircraft fully equipped for maritime search and rescue missions in the country’s challenging conditions, configured as the AS332 L1e version.

The AS332 L1e version incorporates the integrated advanced cockpit and automatic flight control systems used on Eurocopter’s EC225 helicopter. Both aircraft will 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.

The Finnish Border Guard already operates three AS332L1 rotorcraft, which are assigned to its Turku base on the southwest coast of Finland. The service has logged nearly 25 years experience with these Super Pumas.

Jacques Cardaillac, Eurocopter’s head of sales for Northern Europe and Benelux, said: ‘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.

The two new AS332 L1e helicopters will be delivered in late 2015. The Finnish Border Guard will benefit from the aircraft’s commonality with its current AS332 L1 fleet, optimising resources for logistics and maintenance management, as well as the training of pilots and technicians.


Source: by the Shephard News Team News - 20 December 2012

Photo: The Finnish Border Guard Aviation Eurocopter AS332 L1 Super Puma helicopter (Photo by Shephard News)


(20.12.2012)