Australia's New South Wales police force has accepted a Eurocopter EC135 P2+, with the aircraft expected to be fully operational within months.
The aircraft will be used for search and rescue, missing person searches, and other missions, said the NSW police. It will be designated PolAir 4 in NSW police service.
Key features include autopilot, the Nitesun forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera, a two-person winch, and other policing equipment. The police said the aircraft's top speed of 220km/h will improve response times to the cities of Wollongong, Central Coast, and Newcastle.
"I'm proud to see that the commissioning of PolAir 4 will put the NSWPF at the forefront of law enforcement aviation capacity," said NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione. "This is an exciting day for New South Wales. This helicopter has advanced capabilities, which will greatly assist day-to-day police operations."
The crew is undergoing final training and certification, and the NSW police expect the aircraft to be fully operational "in the next few months."
Source: Flight International
