Eurocopter Delivers AS550 C3 Fennec Helicopters To Ecuadorian Armed Forces

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense received the first two AS550 C3 Fennec helicopters from Eurocopter. Based on the contract that was signed in 2010 for seven helicopters two AS350 B2s were delivered in December 2011. The contract contemplates delivery of two Fennecs per year until 2015. The helicopter will replace the Gazelle and Lama which are in service for decades. Miguel Carvajal, Ecuadorian Defense Minister, said, “The delivery of these two new helicopters represents a further step forward under the Ecuadorian Army’s ambitious modernisation program. Our Air Force will have a new generation of helicopters with higher performance levels and lower maintenance costs”. Rodolphe Henry, Eurocopter’s Vice President of Sales for Latin America, said, “The new helicopters are perfectly suited to the operational requirements of the Ecuadorian Air Force and will undoubtedly help to ensure the success of the different missions to which they are assigned”.