The municipal public security bureau of Shanghai has signed a contract with Eurocopter to purchase three helicopters for its first team of helicopter police. The helicopters are expected to be put into use beginning next year, and the police will serve during the 2010 World Expo.
According to Wu Zhiming, head of the public security bureau, in addition to World Expo security, the helicopter force will be used in searching for criminals, anti-terrorist activities, directing ground traffic, disaster relief, and other emergencies.
The bureau will purchase two light-duty EC135s and one medium-sized EC155 from Eurocopter. The EC135 can accomodate one pilot and seven passengers, and the EC155 can fit two pilots and 13 passengers.
Eurocopter is the world's largest helicopter producer and has provided more than 40 percent of the turbine helicopter fleet in Asia. The company was founded in 1992 and is a 100 percent subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company.
