Eurocopter delivered the first of two EC145s to the Bolivian Air Force last August, during an official ceremony attended by the Bolivian President Evo Morales Ayma and the High Command of the Bolivian Armed Forces and the Bolivian Air Force. These helicopters will be used for government officials’ transportation and to provide support in the event of natural disasters and emergencies.
Eurocopter’s relationship with the Bolivian Air Force dates back to the 1970s with the Lama and Alouette helicopters, renowned for their excellent performance in conditions of extreme altitude and temperatures which made them ideal for operations in Bolivia’s high plateau region. In 2009 they were replaced by the Ecureuil/Astar AS350 B3, which earned its place in aviation history in 2005 for touching down and taking off from the summit of Mount Everest.
In 2011, the Bolivian Air Force ordered two new twin-engine EC145s to further modernize its fleet. This new helicopter, which is highly versatile thanks to its superior safety standards, will be used for VIP transportation and to provide support during natural disasters, rescue missions, fire-fighting, MEDEVAC and parapublic missions, among others.
“We are honored to deliver this aircraft to the Plurinational State of Bolivia, one of the first countries in the region to purchase and operate this powerful helicopter,” said Alexandre Ceccacci, CEO of Eurocopter Cono Sur. “This purchase paves the way for the introduction in Bolivia of new twin-engine helicopters with greater capacity.”
Eurocopter has delivered more than 500 EC145s to some 100 customers in 38 countries. It is the helicopter of choice in the medium-size twin-engine category in view of its flexibility and versatility. This rotary-wing aircraft is renowned worldwide for police and public service missions and operations in conditions of extreme altitude and temperature. Its capacity of up to 10 passengers and an extensive range of cutting-edge optional equipment ensure outstanding performance in a wide array of missions, including onshore and offshore airlift for the oil & gas industries, emergency medical services, police and public services, as well as business and VIP transportation.
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defense-related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approximately 20,000 people. In 2011, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s number one helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 5.4 billion Euros, orders for 457 new helicopters and a 43 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.
