Shanghai Public Security Bureau on Saturday agreed to buy its first helicopters from a European aviation firm.

Police officials said the three aircraft will play a significant role in ensuring security during the 2008 Olympic Games as some soccer matches will be held in the city. They will also be used during the 2010 World Expo.

The two light twin-engined EC135 helicopters and one medium-lift twin-engined EC155 helicopter are a major step forward in the establishment of a Shanghai Police Aviation Squad, police said.

An EC155 helicopter. -- Courtesy of Shanghai Police

Aviation police are expected to conduct various missions including air patrol, medical aid, rescue operations, traffic control and suspect pursuit.

It remained unclear how much the purchase contract was worth or when the helicopters will go on duty.

In December city police authorities advertised for 10 helicopter pilots specially for the new police air squad. Though no development on the staff was available, the bureau said all the recruits were expert in piloting and aircraft maintenance.

The helicopters were ordered from the French-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group, the world's No. 1 helicopter manufacturer.

"We decided Eurocopter was our partner as the function safety is the priority," said Wu Zhiming, the bureau's director. "Flying over Shanghai, a densely populated city with about 20 million residents, demands absolute security insurance."

More than 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are in service in 139 countries.

"The first contract with the Shanghai Public Security Bureau is a significant milestone in our market development in Shanghai and in China," said Norbert Ducrot, senior vice president of Eurocopter.

The EC135 helicopter can carry eight people and can cruise at up to 254 kilometers an hour with a range of 635 kilometers. The EC155 helicopter can carry 14 people. It has a maximum speed of 265 kilometers an hour and a range of 909 kilometers.

There are 13 aviation squads in the country. Another 13 regions are setting up their own.

(Shanghai Daily April 30, 2007)