Botswana signs for three more AS350 police helicopters

 The new helicopters will be customised to the BPS’s specification, including the installation of night vision equipment for night-time operations and other law enforcement equipment. The start of delivery of the new aircraft is scheduled for 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.

Speaking at the contract signing, Botswana’s Commissioner of Police, Keabetswe Makgophe  said the BPS had introduced an airborne law enforcement function through the establishment of an Air Support Branch (ASB) in January, 2009 with pre-work having started in November, 2006. 

“As we all know, this period coincided with the advent of the global economic recession. However, the ASB project was allowed to proceed as planned,” Makgophe  said. “ To operationalise the Branch, three helicopters and training of pilots, engineers and Airborne Law Enforcement Officers (ALEOs) were achieved between 2006 and 2009. Another establishment was later opened at Francistown to serve the Northern part of the country. But following this the AS350B3 helicopter was identified through a tender process, as the most suitable model that could address the local law enforcement needs in terms of adaptability to flying environment, efficiency and durability.”
Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa General Manager, Arnaud Montalvo said: “We are proud to continue our relationship with the Botswana Police Air Support Branch 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. We are confident these aircraft will make an enormous contribution to safeguarding the citizens of Botswana and their property”.
In addition to the helicopters, Airbus Helicopters will also train Botswana Police Air Support Branch pilots and mechanics.
The AS350 B3e is a member of Airbus Helicopters rugged and proven Ecureuil family and was selected for its unmatched performance and efficiency in Botswana’s typically hot and high elevation conditions. Its Turboméca Arriel 2D turbine engine generates greater power, giving the helicopter unmatched manoeuvrability, performance and payload versatility in comparison with other similar size machines.
Around the world, including Southern Africa, Airbus Helicopters’ products are the top-performing aircraft in their class and a firm favourite with law enforcement agencies. Like Botswana, the police in South Africa, Namibia and Angola have all selected Airbus Helicopters equipment, including numerous AS350 B2, B3 and B3e variants.
Worldwide, to date, Airbus Helicopters has sold more than 5,800 Ecureuil family aircraft (4, 900 are In-service), - including more than 1600 (1152 B3 / 476 B3e) B3 series machines – to some 1,800 operators in 120 countries, including numerous law enforcement and civic agencies.