Airbus (Booth C305) announced two new orders for its super-medium and large helicopters from public sector customers on Wednesday morning. The Chinese Ministry of Transport’s Rescue and Salvage Bureau (CRS) has ordered two H175 super-medium twins configured for search and rescue (SAR) operations to patrol ports and waters in the Bohai and Yellow Seas.
The CRS currently flies four Airbus H225s from bases in Shanghai, Penglai, Xiamen, and Zhuhai. Its H175 SAR order follows one placed by the Government Flying Service (GFS) of Hong Kong last year. H175s are currently in operation in the Netherlands, UK, Denmark, Thailand, Australia, Mexico, and Hong Kong.
Separately, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has acquired an additional H225, bringing its fleet of the Super Puma type to two AS332s and 11 H225s. The helicopters are used for security enforcement, coastal patrol, and disaster relief. JCG’s latest H225 participated in a series of rescue missions shortly after delivery, saving 23 people. In total, 25 members of the Super Puma family fly for various parapublic operators in Japan. Worldwide, it flies for rescue organizations such as the Spanish Guard, Argentine Coast Guard, and South Korea’s National 119 Rescue Headquarters.