The Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) have delivered the first of two EC225 helicopters to the French Navy, ordered in December 2009 for maritime safety tasks.  The ceremony was held on April 22 at the naval aviation base at Lanvéoc (Finistère). The second EC225 to be delivered in June. Both aircraft will replace the Super Frelcon helicopters retired the same week (see HeliHub.com story)

They quote the EC225 as able to carry up to 24 passengers iwth a maximum speed is 325 kmh. Its 4-axis autopilot allows him to hold a hover over the area in extreme weather conditions and the EC 225 SECMAR is equipped with a winch to hoist carrying two people simultaneously, or a stretcher. Its crew includes two pilots, a winchman, a diver and a physician if necessary. Equipped with additional tanks, the EC 225 SECMAR be able to perform a rescue at 250 nautical (465 km) from the coast for the benefit of 15 people.

The market for operational maintenance of the equipment delivered has been notified by the DGA Eurocopter April 21, 2010.