Japan’s coast guard orders two more Airbus H225s
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has placed an order of two more Airbus H225M helicopters, cementing its position as the country’s largest operator of the type.
This follow-on order brings JCG’s Super Puma fleet to 15, comprising two AS332s and 13 H225s. The new helicopters will be utilised for territorial coastal activities, security enforcement, as well as disaster relief missions in Japan.
“We thank the Japan Coast Guard for its continued confidence in the H225,” said Guillaume Leprince, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. “The H225 is well regarded as a reference in search-and-rescue operations and security enforcement, and we are certainly happy to see these helicopters effectively deployed in Japan through the years. We have delivered three new H225 to JCG in the recent months, within schedule, and are committed to fully supporting its existing fleet, as well as its upcoming deliveries, ensuring high availability for its operations.”
According to Airbus, the JCG’s H225s are covered under Airbus’ HCare Smart full-by-the-hour material support. This customised fleet availability programme allows JCG to focus on its flight operations whilst Airbus manages its assets.
This latest JCG order will add to the number of helicopters of the Super Puma family currently operating in Japan, which currently stands at 28. In addition to the JCG, the type is being operated by the Japanese Ministry of Defense for VIP duties, along with a number of other civilian and parapublic operators who use the type for search and rescue missions, offshore operations, VIP, fire-fighting, and passenger and goods transportation.
In addition to the JCG, the H225 family has been a popular choice with militaries in Asia, with Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand already operating the H225 or its military equivalent the H225M. Singapore is also replacing its Super Pumas, which have been in service since 1985, with new build H225Ms.