Eurocopter Highlights EC725 at the Langkawi Air Show 2007

Eurocopter, LANGKAWI, LIMA 2007: Eurocopter is proud to announce its participation in this year’s LIMA exhibition and air show in Langkawi, Malaysia, exhibiting leading-edge technology like the world’s most modern combat helicopter Tiger the leading 10-tonne Utility/SAR helicopter platform EC725, the EC155, versatile and first choice for offshore and special forces operation, as well as AS355N and the EC135, the world’s most successful, versatile light twin-engine helicopters in their respective weight classes, offering a vast mission capability spectrum. 
 
All products displayed either as real aircraft or mock-ups at the EADS/Eurocopter booth are exemplary of the company’s unbeatable product portfolio. 
 
Eurocopter is constantly investing in enlarging its footprint in the country, which is one of the most-promising regions in Asia, and is ready to support all commercial, governmental and military fleet modernization projects to come in the near future by means of its regional entity and a state-of-the-art service network. Through Eurocopter Malaysia as part of the group’s global network of regional product support and high-end service centres, Eurocopter ensures a reliable backbone for all commercial and governmental customers and their mission demands in and around Malaysia – today and tomorrow. 
 
–EC725 – benchmark for Utility/SAR missions to serve Malaysian Air Force 
The highlight of Eurocopter’s impressive LIMA product display is an EC725 aircraft which is in service at the French Air Force. “Being the latest member of the Cougar family, the EC725 is a benchmark product offered to Malaysia in the framework of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Fleet Renewal tender. It is capable of perfectly fulfilling Malaysia’s demands for optimal mission capabilities in military Utility and Search and Rescue”, states Olivier Lambert, Executive Vice President of Eurocopter’s Customer Department. The EC725 has benefited both from the experience of its predecessors and from important technical improvements. It was designed to perform long distance tactical transport missions, SAR/Combat SAR, and also medical transport and logistical services. It can also be used for naval missions and was lately converted into a fire fighter with a 4-tonne-kit and successfully tested in a campaign during devastating wild fires in Corsica, Europe during summer period 2007. 
 
– Tiger – 21st century multifunctional combat capabilities for Malaysian Armed Forces 
In military scenarios ranging from support of humanitarian missions to peace-keeping or peace-insuring missions, military helicopters with multi-functional capabilities play a central role in airborne mechanisation of ground forces. With the Tiger, Eurocopter is presenting the only combat helicopter in its class already designed for scenarios of the 21st century, offering unique Air-to-Air capabilities, especially in the HAP version. The Tiger is perfectly prepared for a multitude of present and future mission requirements of the Malaysian Armed forces and is unanimously considered the most multifunctional helicopter in the world. In September 2006, the Malaysian Deputy Chief of Army had performed a flight on the Tiger in Le Luc, France. 
 
– EC155B1 – best-in-class for high-speed and comfort offshore and corporate transport 
Displayed at the Eurocopter/EADS booth as a scale mock-up, the EC155 B1 is Eurocopter’s top-end product for the demanding executive customers as well as for offshore operators. Depending on the selected configuration, the EC155 B1 offers a level of passenger comfort comparable to that of a corporate fixed-wing aircraft. 
 
It has the fastest cruising speed of any helicopter in its class and offers optimal performance and safety charateristics for operations on open sea areas and inherits Eurocopter’s knowledge based upon a fleet of approx 550 aircraft in offshore operations – 40 percent of the market quantity and 50 percent of the market value sold in this segment between 2001 and 2006. 
 
– AS355N and EC135 – leading the light twin-engine market segment 
An AS355N aircraft operated by the Malaysia Police and an EC135 customer helicopter from Hornbill are also to be seen at the show and underline Euro copter’s leading role in the light-helicopter segment. Whereas the Cereal in single- or twin engine configuration is an ideal mission platform for all Law Enforcement Agencies, the bigger EC135 can be easily adapted to corporate needs as well as to Police and EMS operations. Both aircraft types offer unbeatable performance characteristics and versatility. Thus it comes as no surprise that both models are global best-sellers. 
 
Eurocopter group – ahead of the market and expanding its regional footprint: 
 
Eurocopter was the first helicopter manufacturer to set up a complete maintenance and support facility in Malaysia with amenities located throughout West (Subang) and East Malaysia (Miri and Kuching) in December 2006. A dedicated team of more than 110 personnel works alone in this new West Malaysia’s state-of-the-art facility, proving Eurocopter’s commitment to optimally support all customers in the region to ensure cost-efficient operation and availability of Eurocopter aircraft. Eurocopter accounts for almost 46% of the civil and parapublic turbine helicopter fleet currently in service in Asia-Pacific, expecting the region to have enormous growth potential, both in civil and military helicopter aviation in the years to come. 
 
Eurocopter Malaysia: 
 
The company was incorporated in August 2002 and has since then progressed with great speed. The company has created more than 150 jobs since 2002. Eurocopter Malaysia provides a broad spectrum of services, ranging from scheduled and unscheduled maintenance to aircraft modifications (retrofits, painting, interior refurbishment and customization) as well as logistics support (spare parts, repairs and overhaul). Eurocopter Malaysia has a paid-up capital of RM 10 million, with an expected revenue of around RM 307 million in 2007 (approximately $ 100 million) – a remarkable increase from RM 64 million in 2004 and a positive trend, which is likely to be followed also in 2008. With currently 50 percent in the local market, Eurocopter 
 
Malaysia holds the largest market share in aviation industry in Malaysia, with a total of 18 types of Eurocopter helicopters being certified in the country. Pierre Nardelli is the President & CEO of Eurocopter Malaysia SDN BHD.  
 
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.