Airbus Helicopters announced on March 30 that the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) had placed an order for an additional pair of H225 medium-lift helicopters.
The order for the two new helicopters will increase the coast guard’s Super Puma fleet to 17 aircraft, comprising two AS332s and 15 H225s. The JCG, which is the largest Super Puma operator in Japan, received its tenth H225 in February this year. The new helicopters will join its growing fleet to support territorial coastal activities, security enforcement and disaster relief missions in the country.
![Japan Coast Guard Super Puma [Airbus]](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/inline-images/JCG%20Super%20Puma%20%5BAirbus%5D.jpg)
Guillaume Leprince, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan said: “From the first Super Puma delivery nearly 30 years ago to the latest H225 orders, we greatly appreciate Japan Coast Guard’s continued trust in our products and services. This repeat H225 order reinforces the aircraft’s position as a reference in SAR operations and security enforcement.”
JCG’s H225 fleet is covered by Airbus’ HCare Smart full-by-the-hour material support. This customised fleet availability programme allows the national coast guard agency to focus on its flight operations whilst Airbus manages its assets.
Close to 30 helicopters from the Super Puma family are currently flown in Japan by civil, parapublic operators, and Japan’s Ministry of Defense for various search and rescue missions, VIP, fire-fighting and passenger and goods transportation.
