Eurocopter says Taiwan helicopters for civil use

Defense News ~ PARIS, Feb 5 (Reuters) - European helicopters being sold to Taiwan are civil models to be used for search and rescue missions, manufacturer Eurocopter said on Friday.
Taiwan said earlier it would buy up to 20 military helicopters from Europe less than a week after Washington infuriated China by proposing a $6.4 billion arms deal for the island which Beijing claims as its own."Eurocopter confirms that, following an international tender, it has been selected by Taiwan for the purchase of 3 EC225 civil helicopters, which will be used for search and rescue missions," Eurocopter said in a statement.
Eurocopter is a subsidiary of French, German and Spanish group EADS (EAD.PA).
Eurocopter said the EC225 was already being operated in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam for search and rescue missions, offshore operations and VIP transport.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Dan Lalor)

MOST POPULAR
Putin scolds party after rally exposes discontent
05 Feb 2010
Powerful snowstorm hits U.S. East Coast
1:09am EST
UPDATE 3-China to levy anti-dumping duties on US chicken
05 Feb 2010
Powerful snowstorm hits East Coast
05 Feb 2010
UPDATE 1-Powerful snowstorm hits U.S. East Coast
05 Feb 2010