Airbus Helicopters in Japan has secured a contract extension with Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA), to provide performance-based logistics (PBL) for its H225 (previously known as EC-225 LP) fleet over the next five years. The helicopters will benefit from ‘HCare Infinite’, the company’s new customer fleet availability service offer.

The five-year agreement takes immediate effect. It covers maintenance, repair, parts supply, as well as technical support for three H225 special transportation helicopters currently operated by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF).

The JGSDF introduced the first Airbus helicopter, an AS332L, in 1986 and operated three AS332L helicopters until 2005. Since 2006, the JGSDF has been operating the H225 rotorcraft, replacing the AS332L fleet.

Airbus Helicopters also provides HCare services for TH-135 training helicopters operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JWSDF), for which a five-year PBL contract was awarded in 2016.

Airbus Helicopters’ HCare customer support solutions help operators to enhance helicopter availability and optimise maintenance scheduling. The service covers material management, helicopter maintenance and upgrades, technical support, training and flight operations, as well as connected services.