Japan Coast Guard (JCG) has signed with Airbus Helicopters for an HCare Smart full-by-the-hour material management contract, for a period of five years.  Beginning in July, the contract will cover comprehensive maintenance support, including parts-by-the-hour for JCG’s H225 fleet.

With the provision of all the parts needed for the maintenance of the rotorcraft in one single contract, Airbus says this will yield better cost control and forecasting, as well as more efficient day-to-day management for JCG.

Earlier this year, JCG has placed an additional order for one H225 helicopter, bringing its overall H225 fleet to a total of ten units by March 2021.

The newly-signed HCare Smart contract will cover the entirety of ten H225s currently on order, of which five are already in service. JCG also operates three AS332s.

HCare material management offers three different service packages – HCare Infinite, with a full availability commitment; HCare Smart, with four by-the-hour options; and HCare Easy, with on-request catalogue services.