Mecaer Aviation Group Receives EASA Certification for AW139 Cabin Noise Reduction System
4 Mar, 10
S.E.I. (Servizi Elicotteristici Italiani) S.p.A., a Mecaer Aviation Group company, has received certification for its lightweight cabin noise and vibration reduction system called SILENS. The system has been EASA certified on an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter, with FAA certification expected early in 2010.
Originally developed in Italy in collaboration with AgustaWestland, the system has been proven to [...]
Helinet Technologies Expands Aerial Surveillance Services Engagement with Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago
Source: Helinet, 4 Mar, 10
Helinet Technologies, the aerial surveillance solutions division of Helinet Aviation, announced today it has been selected by the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) to assist the agency in implementing a fulltime, high definition aerial surveillance capability. The assignment represents a continuation of Helinet’s work with SAUTT providing HD image gathering and live [...]
JSSI® Appoints Avcon Jet as Sales Rep in Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan
Source: JSSI, 4 Mar, 10
Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), the world’s largest, independent provider of hourly cost maintenance programs for the business aviation industry, recently announced Avcon Jet of Vienna, Austria, as its new sales representative for JSSI throughout Eastern Europe and Russia.
JSSI continues to focus on expanding its business in Europe and recognizes Avcon Jet’s strong customer relationships [...]
Aspen Avionics’ Transport Canada STC Expanded
Source: Aspen Avionics, 4 Mar, 10
Albuquerque, NM, March 3, 2010: Aspen Avionics, Inc., manufacturer of the innovative Evolution Flight Display System, announced today an amendment to the Transport Canada Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that grants installation approval of the system in Canada. The amended STC now enables all aircraft on Aspen’s Approved Model List (AML) of over 700 aircraft to [...]
NTSB: AS350 design contributed to fatal April 2008 crash
Source: KTUU, 4 Mar, 10
Floor-mounted fuel controls on a helicopter that crashed in 2008 near Chickaloon, killing four people and injuring one, contributed to the accident according to a NTSB report released Wednesday
UK showcases Mi-17 training work with Afghan crews
Source: Flightglobal, 4 Mar, 10
The UK Ministry of Defence has lifted the veil on a previously secretive helicopter training service being provided to future Afghan national security force pilots.
Eurocopter Canada lays off 15% of workforce
Source: Niagara Falls Review, 4 Mar, 10
Eurocopter Canada have laid off 34 of its full-time employees last week, and now employs approx 180
Air Methods to Report Q4 and FY2009 Financial Results on March 11th
Source: Air Methods, 3 Mar, 10
Air Methods Corporation (AIRM 27.40, +0.76, +2.85%) will report financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 after the close of the market on Thursday, March 11, 2010. The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 4:15 p.m. Eastern to discuss these results.
Interested parties can access the call by dialing (877) 883-0656 [...]
S92 cabin manufacture moving from Japan to India
Source: Express Buzz, 3 Mar, 10
“The Japan plant, which produced more than 100 cabins so far, will stop production from now on,” AJS Walia, the Managing Director (India & South Asia) for Sikorsky said
GCAA hosts meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council Helicopter Safety Team
Source: Emirates News Agency, 3 Mar, 10
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Helicopter Safety Team (GCCHST), attended by all helicopter operators in UAE, Qatar and KSA.
British Army to extend Lynx upgrade, review training system
Source: FlightGlobal, 3 Mar, 10
he British Army’s remaining Lynx AH9 utility helicopters will be modified to AgustaWestland’s improved AH9A configuration, following MoD approval to extend the effort to all 22 aircraft.
Chile earthquake response includes two UH-60s from Brazil
Source: Milenio, 3 Mar, 10
The Brazilian government sent two UH-60 helicopters to Chile to help victims of the earthquake of 8.8 Richter scale
Elbit wins Boeing Excellence Award for Apache Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System
Source: Elbit Systems, 3 Mar, 10
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, March 3, 2010 – Elbit Systems of America, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) has been awarded the Silver Level of recognition by The Boeing Company for superior performance in 2009.
Elbit Systems of America, Service and Support Solutions’ (International Enterprises, Inc.) repair facility in Warner Robins, Georgia [...]
Eurocopter sells seven AS365N3s to Pawan Hans
Source: Eurocopter, 3 Mar, 10
Hyderabad: Eurocopter, the world’s number one manufacturer of helicopters and Pawan Hans Helicopters, today announce the purchase of seven new Dauphin AS 365 N3 helicopters by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited. Mrs. Marie-Agnes Veve, Head of Eurocopter activities in India and Mr. Rainer Farid, VP Sales South Asia, Eurocopter presented a memento to Mr. R.K. Tyagi, [...]
United Rotorcraft Solutions delivered a customized 407 to Ireland’s Newtown Aviation
Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions, 3 Mar, 10
URS completed the 407 with a Garmin Comm/Nav/GPS GNS530AW , SL-40 Comm 2, GTX-330 transponder and GMA347H Audio Control. Also installed are the Honeywell KR87 ADF and KCS55A HSI Compass System, TransCal Blind Encoder, Mid-Continent Turn & Bank and ADI with battery back-up. The airframe was modified with a Paravion door opener kit; [...]
HeliHub.com adds gallery on Flickr for website user photos
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
HeliHub.com continues its expansion with the addition of a gallery on the popular image bank website Flickr.com
The Flickr gallery provides users of HeliHub.com the opportunity to upload their own photos, and over time this will become a very valuable resource. In time, HeliHub.com will utilise this gallery to provide imagery on the website itself to [...]
Malaysia looking for 6 to 12 attack helicopters
Source: New Straits Times, 3 Mar, 10
Army chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Ismail Jamaluddin said Malaysia is looking at procuring attack helicopters for the purpose of tank-hunting and to destroy enemy radars, bunkers and troop formations
Philippines orders eight W3A Sokols from PZL
3 Mar, 10
Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena told reporters the eight W-3A Sokol helicopters would cost P3 billion or roughly P375 million each
Poland to acquire five more Mi-17 helicopters for Afghanistan ops
Source: Polish Ministry of Defence, 3 Mar, 10
Defense Minister Bogdan Klich has announced the completion of the tender to purhase an additional five helicopters Mi-17 designed to strengthen the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan.
The tender winner was Metalexport company whose bid has been set at 313 million złoty (around US$106M). The tender was carried out the “same but cheaper” principle adopted in [...]
Medical Center of Central Georgia’s heliport officially opened
Source: Macon Telegraph, 3 Mar, 10
Within four hours of The Medical Center of Central Georgia’s heliport officially opened Monday at noon, the hospital received its first patient on the roof of the hospital’s surgery center.
Hyderabad Airport ready to lease land for helicopter factory
Source: LiveMint, 3 Mar, 10
The operator of Hyderabad airport would lease out 6-12 acres of land to set up a $70-100 million helicopter factory, two executives of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (Ghial) said on Tuesday.
Scottish Ambulance Service adds doctors to flights
Source: Scotsman, 3 Mar, 10
A pilot scheme in the West of Scotland has seen emergency medicine consultants being sent out on air missions with the Scottish Ambulance Service. It will now be rolled out across the whole of the country, costing about £2 million a year, after being deemed a huge success
Register Update – Australia – 22-28 February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most [...]
Register Update – Austria – February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the [...]
Register Update – Ireland – February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the [...]
Register update – New Zealand – February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 3 Mar, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly [...]
03-Mar-10 (Serial TBA) MD Helicopters MD500D Namyangju, Korea (2F)
3 Mar, 10
May have been a Bell AH-1
San Diego County approves $1.1M to refurbish helicopter
Source: San Diego News Network, 2 Mar, 10
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved $1.1M for refurbishing a sheriff’s helicopter that has been grounded since October. Board Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price said a new helicopter would cost $2.5M.
Summit County may regulate where helicopters are allowed to land
Source: Park Record, 2 Mar, 10
The conflicts about helicopter noise date back three years to when people complained about helicopter sightseeing tours on the West Side of Summit County.
StandardAero Singapore Extends RR250 Authorized Maintenance Center
Source: StandardAero, 2 Mar, 10
StandardAero’s Singapore facility has extended its authorization as an Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC). This authorization renews the level of support Standardaero can provide to Asia-Pacific Model 250 operators. Additionally, these customers will benefit from the support Singapore will receive from Winnipeg’s new Authorized Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMROC) authorization and its broad level of [...]
Becker Avionics signs dealer agreement with Paradigm Aerospace Corp
Source: Becker Avionics, 2 Mar, 10
Becker Avionics, a leading provider of communication, navigation, surveillance and search & rescue equipment for airborne and ground applications, announced today that it has entered into a dealer agreement with Paradigm Aerospace Corporation, now more commonly known as PAC International, a premier full service helicopter customizing and completions center for [...]
Eurocopter and Pawan Hans set up two JV companies
Source: The Hindu, 2 Mar, 10
Eurocopter announced that it would form ventures with Pawan Hans Helicopters for maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) and training facilities either in Mumbai or Delhi.
Avior wins Can$35M contract for Bell 429 assemblies
Source: Avior, 2 Mar, 10
Laval, Quebec, March 1st, 2010: Avior Integrated Products Inc. today signed a US$35 million, multi-year contract with Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd. in Mirabel to supply structural assemblies for the new 429 Helicopter. Avior will manufacture the engine cowl structure, which includes multiple light-weight hybrid assemblies using advanced composite materials and aluminum. The composite work [...]
U.S. Helicopter terminates five, does not say why
Source: Dothan Eagle, 2 Mar, 10
Five U.S. Helicopter workers were terminated this week, just days after the company delivered the first of three aircraft in a $14 million government contract, officials confirmed. US Helicopter is a subsidiary of Bell.
Bursary and scholarship program established to remember Cougar Flight 491
Source: News 880AM, 2 Mar, 10
A scholarship and bursary program has been established in the memory of the 17 victims of the crash of Cougar Flight 491 off Newfoundland last year.
Triumph Group buys helicopter parts maker Fabritech
Source: Triumph Group, 2 Mar, 10
WAYNE, Pa., Mar 01, 2010 — Triumph Group, Inc. today announced the acquisition of Fabritech, Inc., a leading component manufacturer and repair station for critical military rotary-wing platforms. The acquired business, which will operate as Triumph Fabrications-St. Louis and be part of Triumph Aftermarket Services Group, is expected to add approximately $25 million of revenue [...]
Dart Announces TC Approval of Apical’s Cylindrical Emergency Float Systems for the AS355
Source: DART Helicopter Services, 2 Mar, 10
DART Helicopter Services is pleased to announce that their subsidiary partner Apical Industries Inc., has received Transport Canada approval of their Cylindrical Emergency Float Systems with & without Liferafts for the Eurocopter AS355E, F, F1, F2, N & NP models.
Apical’s Eurocopter AS355 Cylindrical Emergency Float Systems are the only float systems certified for take-off after [...]
Australia cautiously defend NH90 choice after German criticism
Source: Sydney Morning Herald, 2 Mar, 10
Problems cited include limited clearance for getting in and out, rear ramp too weak, seats unable to accommodate soldiers weighing >110kg and no room for a door gunner.
Osprey desployment to Okinawa may throw wrench in MCAS Futenma relocation
Source: Mainichi Daily News, 2 Mar, 10
The environmental assessment of the area around Camp Schwab, Okinawa may need to restart after officials hinted MV-22 Osprey could be deployed to the new base.
United Rotorcraft Solutions delivered customized 407 to DS Aviation in Dallas
Source: United Rotorcraft Solutions, 2 Mar, 10
The new Bell 407 was completed with the newly certified Aspen EFD-1000 Electronic Flight Display, the Garmin GPS/NAV/COMM, Transponder, Blind Encoder and the Garmin GPSMAP 696 and GMA347H audio, the second COMM is the Honeywell KY196A. The Avidyne TCAD TAS610 is also installed.
The airframe is equipped with the Air Comm air conditioning and heater/defroster, Tech [...]
StandardAero VP Elected to Second Term as Chairman of AMROC/AMC Council
Source: StandardAero, 2 Mar, 10
StandardAero’s Vice President Helicopter Programs, Tom Roche, has been re-elected to a second term as Chairman of the Rolls-Royce Authorized Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMROC)/Authorized Maintenance Center (AMC) Council. Roche will serve another two-year term in this capacity.
StandardAero has been servicing Model 250 engines and accessories for over 40 years and is the oldest [...]
Aerovel reveals Flexrotor long-range UAV with VTOL
Source: Aerovel, 2 Mar, 10
Husum, Washington 1 March 2010 – When a new airliner is ready for its public debut, it emerges from a giant hangar in a glitzy roll-out extravaganza. But when you have a very small aircraft and an equally small company, you have to think on a different scale. Tad McGeer, Aerovel’s president, recalls that [...]
Technology gives Apache Block III more capability
Source: US Army, 2 Mar, 10
The U.S. Army is leveraging cutting-edge technologies from its Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) to give the Block III Apache aircraft increased power, lift, maneuverability and hard-landing ability, service officials said.
The Army S & T community, a subset of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA ALT), has been [...]
Lawsuit against Onondaga County Sheriff ‘Air One’ dismissed by federal court
Source: WSYR, 2 Mar, 10
Mercy Flight Central, Inc. filed the suit in Federal Court two years ago, alleging that Air-1 was providing competing services without proper certification.
Careflight takes over Northern Territories medical flights from Pearl Aviation
Source: NT News, 2 Mar, 10
Careflight will take over the services from Pearl Aviation from July 2010 while the NT Government puts the service out to tender
Fishtail Air takes delivery of new AS350B3 at Kathmandu base
Source: Republica, 2 Mar, 10
Fishtail Air now has five helicopters — a Bell 206 BIII Jet Ranger, an AS350 B and AS350 B2 and two AS350 B3s.
Eurocopter gears up to strengthen partnerships with Indian industry
Source: Eurocopter, 2 Mar, 10
Eurocopter, the global leader in helicopter manufacturing, will be showing a strong presence at India Aviation 2010, the second edition of the international exhibition on Civil Aviation Sector. This event, being organized by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, will see Eurocopter presenting its range of commercial helicopters and latest technology.
As Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter Senior [...]
Conklin & de Decker celebrate “Setting the Standard” for 25 years
2 Mar, 10
Conklin & de Decker is celebrating 25 years of setting the standard in aircraft operating cost data and educational programs at this year’s Heli- Expo in Houston, Texas on February 21st through the 23rd.
“It’s hard to believe this all began in 1984,” commented Bill de Decker, President and cofounder of Conklin & de Decker. “We [...]
Texas Department of Public Safety adds two AS350B3s
Source: American Eurocopter, 2 Mar, 10
March 1, 2010 Grand Prairie, Texas – American Eurocopter announced today that the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has ordered two AS350 B3-2B1 helicopters expanding mission capabilities to the department by adding a more powerful version of the AS350B3 coupled with the benefit of the Turbomeca Arriell 2B1 Full-Authority-Digital-Engine-Control (FADEC). These helicopters will join [...]
Adelaide company Mincham Aviation wins first contract for Chinook parts
2 Mar, 10
SOUTH Australia-based Mincham Aviation has won a key contract to supply parts for international defence giant Boeing’s globally-used helicopters, the CH-47 Chinooks.
Luminator introduces dual mode thermal imaging camera and IR LED searchlight
Source: Luminator, 2 Mar, 10
Luminator, a Luminator Technology Group (LTG) company, announced the creation of a dual mode thermal imaging camera and infrared (IR) LED searchlight. The combination of a FLIR Systems thermal imaging camera core and Luminator IR LED light source into a steerable mil-spec searchlight will provide pilots with an unsurpassed advantage during night or adverse flight conditions.
Recognizing the increasing [...]
Boeing offers to assemble Chinooks in Britain
Source: Financial Times, 2 Mar, 10
Boeing makes Chinooks in Philadelphia and is due to deliver 10 of the 22 new ones direct from the US during the course of 2012 and 2013. It has now offered to shift final assembly for half the order to Britain.
NQ Rescue joins Queensland EMS network
1 Mar, 10
NQ Rescue has secured approval from the Queensland government to be included in the state’s aeromedical retrieval network to provide medical and rescue services to the state’s greater northwest.
Russian helicopter production up 8.3% in 2009
Source: Russian Helicopters, 1 Mar, 10
The Russian helicopter industry continued to increase its output in 2009: Russian Helicopters enterprises produced 183 helicopters for local and international customers, increasing the total by 14 compared to 2008. The 8.3% growth was made possible through a joint effort by all Russian rotorcraft industry specialists.
The deliveries breakdown stayed similar to that of 2008: 105 [...]
Omniflight appoints into new National Sales Director post
Source: Omniflight, 1 Mar, 10
Omniflight Helicopters, Inc., a leading national provider of air medical services, announced today that it named Geoffrey Coy to the newly created position of national sales director, effective immediately.
In this position, Coy will be responsible for managing sales efforts across the company and working closely with each of Omniflight’s regional business development directors throughout the [...]
Luminator to supply LS16 Searchlight for US Army’s UH-72A Lakota
Source: Luminator, 1 Mar, 10
Luminator is selected to provide its LS16 Searchlight on the U.S. Army’s UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter for Security and Support missions.
From Luminator’s initial design stage our objective for the LS16 searchlight is to improve flight safety, integrate the latest technology, improve reliability, simplify assembly, and lower maintenance cost. The search light uses solid-state electronics, [...]
Belgian operator NHV wins contract in Ghana
Source: Peace FM Online, 1 Mar, 10
Tullow Oil Plc, operators of the jubilee oil field in Ghana, has dropped the Ghanaian-owned Citylink airline company in favour of Noordzee Helikopters Vlaanderen (NHV) of Belgium
Aero Comfort Announces Delivery of Several Helicopter Interior Completions
Source: Aero Comfort, 1 Mar, 10
Aero Comfort is pleased to announce the delivery of several helicopter interior completions. So far in 2010 Aero Comfort delivered a VIP BELL 407 Interior, Bell 206 Jet Ranger and two Eurocopter EC-130s.
In the last quarter of 2009 Aero Comfort delivered a total of four helicopter interior completion kits to include leather seating, panels upholstery [...]
Sandel Shows More Capable Production HeliTAWS™
Source: Sandel Avionics, 1 Mar, 10
Sandel Avionics displayed the production version of its new HeliTAWS HTAWS/Mission Safety System at HELI-EXPO 2010. Both a Class A HTAWS (helicopter terrain avoidance warning system) and a Mission Safety System with special operations enhancements, the Sandel HeliTAWS uses a range of unique pilot- able functions to provide unequaled operational and safety benefits.
Designed to enhance [...]
Appareo Systems Launches GAU 3000 Flight Data Monitoring Device
Source: Appareo Systems, 28 Feb, 10
Appareo Systems, LLC is pleased to announce the newest product in its award-winning ALERTS Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) system, the GAU 3000. The GAU 3000 extends the capabilities of Appareo’s other innovative FDM equipment by adding a modular infrastructure that enables operators to choose the right hardware package for their needs.
The GAU 3000 continues Appareo’s [...]
Conklin & de Decker donates to HFI Scholarship fund
Source: Conklin & de Decker, 28 Feb, 10
In recognition of their 25th anniversary, Conklin & de Decker has announced it will donate $2500 to the Helicopter Foundation International (HFI) scholarship fund for a Helicopter Maintenance Technician award.
Conklin & de Decker, an active HAI member, has been providing a family of operating & acquisition products and delivering educational programs to the helicopter industry [...]
Judge rejects suit to block Idaho Fish and Game backcountry landings
Source: Tribune, 28 Feb, 10
A federal judge has cleared the way for state biologists to be dropped by helicopter into the vast Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness up to 20 times this winter to dart and collar wolves roaming the remote backcountry
Brazil’s National Institute of Environment adds AS350
Source: Globo, 28 Feb, 10
The helicopter will help in monitoring in the detection of environmental crimes, deforestation and illegal construction in protected areas.
Register Update – United Kingdom – 15-21 February 2010
Source: HeliHub.com, 28 Feb, 10
This news item is part of the HeliHub.com “Register Updates” series, listing helicopters which have been added to a particular national register, removed from it or the listed owner has changed. Our coverage represents the majority of registration and owner changes within the global civilian helicopter fleet. Most updates are weekly or monthly, although some [...]
Aviatrix acquires Erickson Air-Crane’s UH-1 parts inventory
Source: Aviatrix, 28 Feb, 10
Aviatrix, Inc. of Sherwood, Oregon recently acquired Erickson Air-Crane’s Bell inventory to add to the 250,000 items that they represent. Aviatrix is a world-class aerospace parts supplier with a foundation built on customer service and quality. Aviatrix offers years of experience in the aerospace industry and is nationally recognized for supplying critical parts in a [...]
FAA Grants STC for ALERTS Vision 1000 FDM System
Source: Appareo Systems, 28 Feb, 10
Appareo Systems and Eurocopter today announced that the FAA has recently granted a Supplemental Type Certificate for the ALERTS Vision 1000 Flight Data Management (FDM) system. The STC covers installation in Eurocopter AS350 B1, BA, B2, and B3 aircraft. Additional STCs for other aircraft models are planned.
The ALERTS Vision 1000, the most recent addition to [...]
Appareo Systems and Guardian Mobility Team to Provide Real-Time Alerts
Source: Appareo Systems, 28 Feb, 10
Appareo Systems, LLC and Guardian Mobility are pleased to announce an agreement to integrate Appareo Systems Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) Equipment with Guardian’s latest satellite flight-following products. This combination will provide aircraft operators with a streamlined system that provides the long-term safety benefits of a complete FDM program along with the immediate feedback of a [...]
Kaman cuts composite blade development time by approx 80% with FiberSIM® Software
Source: Vistagy, 28 Feb, 10
VISTAGY, Inc., a leading provider of industry-specific engineering software and services, today announced that Kaman Helicopters, a division of Kaman Aerospace Corporation (NASDAQ-GS: KAMN) has entered into an agreement to license FiberSIM® composites engineering software. The software will be used to streamline the design-to-manufacturing process for large composite helicopter blades by providing early visibility into [...]
Cleveland Police Authority chairman rejects UK national helicopter pool plan
Source: Evening Gazette, 28 Feb, 10
He told a meeting of the authority that there has been a discussion at ACPO – the Association of Chief Police Officers – on the idea of bringing police helicopters in the country into a central unit.
Latvia, Lithuania oppose possible selling of Mistral helicopter ship to Russia
Source: ITAR-TASS, 28 Feb, 10
“The European Union and NATO should sell armaments and military hardware to countries, which do not pose the risk of regional tensions,” Latvian Defense Minister Imants Liegis said. “Before concluding strategic deals, EU member countries should hold internal consultations on items that may call into question the security of other members,” he noted.