Eurocopter delivers more EC135s to Japan

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TOKYO, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Japan's National Police Agency and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force have separately received Eurocopter EC135 helicopters.

The deliveries of the twin-engine aircraft occurred last week and were performed by Eurocopter's Japanese subsidiary. The first helicopter, a T2 variant, will be deployed Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department for law enforcement missions. The second, to the MSDF, was a customized training variant.

"We are very honored to be able to deliver the first EC135 to MPD, which has a large and well-equipped air squadron," said Stephane Ginoux, president and chief executive officer of Eurocopter Japan.

"The EC135 is a model that is well-established in the law enforcement market around the world as well as in Japan. We will offer a full suite of support and services, including maintenance, operational support, as well as training, to cater to our customers' needs."

A total of 28 Eurocopter aircraft of various models are used around the country by Japan's police. The one delivered earlier this week is the first T2 to be put into operation by Tokyo's MPD.

The country's Maritime Self-Defense Force has been using training model of the EC135 since 2009. The latest delivery brings the total number of the trainers operated by the MSDF to 10.