Airbus Helicopters announced at the Show that the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has signed a contract for one H215, making it the first customer in Japan to operate the rotorcraft when it is delivered in 2020.  

Currently operating a fleet of 14 helicopters, the largest police air corps in Japan plans to enhance its law enforcement activities with this new H215.

The H215 will be delivered ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. It will be dedicated for missions including personnel and VIP transportation, material transport, as well as wide area support missions. The H215 is capable of covering the entire Tokyo region, including the Izu islands. The heavy-lift helicopter will also be involved in missions conducted nationwide.

The H215 will join the H135 and H155 helicopters in supporting day-to-day patrol and rescue missions in Tokyo.

The twin-engine, heavy lift H215 is a member of the Super Puma/Cougar family. It is available in two versions -- one tailored for multi-role operations and the other for aerial work/utility missions.

This latest Japanese acquisition comes after a follow-on order for three H225s for the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) announced earlier at the Show. The order will bring the total JCG fleet to nine.