PARIS - Botswana's Police Service has ordered three new Airbus Helicopters AS350 B3e Ecureuils for its Police Air Support Branch. The new helicopters will be customized to the Botswana Police Service’s specifications, including the installation of night vision equipment for night-time operations and other law enforcement equipment. The AS350 B3e is powered by Turbomeca's new Arriel 2D turboshaft, rated at 847shp for takeoff.
Deliveries of the new helicopters are scheduled to begin later in 2015. The additional helicopters with their enhanced capability will fulfil Botswana’s requirement for an expanded airborne law enforcement and crime prevention force.
In addition to the helicopters, Airbus Helicopters will also train Botswana Police Air Support Branch pilots and mechanics.
Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa General Manager, Arnaud Montalvo said: "We are proud to continue our relationship with the Botswana Police Air Support Unit and that it has selected the AS350 B3e, which has a proven pedigree in police missions - especially in hot and high conditions typical of the much of Botswana."