Paul Derby
MD Helicopters completed the perfect first day of show week by securing an agreement from the Dutch national police to buy eight MD Explorers - with an option for two more.
Contract details have not yet been finalised, but the deal calls for deliveries to begin in April 2001 with the final machines arriving by the end of the following year. Options would be exercised in 2003.The Dutch force needs to replace its mix of fixed-wing and ageing MBB BO105 helicopters and will base the Exporers at Schipol Airport in Amsterdam.
Although MDHI is a US company, its parent RDM Holdings is Dutch, as is chief executive Henk Schaeken, making the agreement something of a home-grown affair.
The company is now turning its sights on a proposed contract for the supply of four MD500Es to the Finnish defence force - a deal which is expected to be announced during Farnborough 2000.The company is now turning its sights on a proposed contract for the supply of four MD500Es to the Finnish defence force - a deal which is expected to be announced during Farnborough 2000.
Source: Flight Daily News
