Mexico Orders Eurocopter’s EC725 Helicopters

EC725 Cougar(click to view full) In March 2009, Mexico became the EC725 Cougar’s 2nd export customer, thanks to a Mexican Ministry of Defense order for 6 helicopters. Mexico followed Brazil, who became the EC725’s first export customer with a $1.1 billion order for 50 machines to equip its Army, Air Force, and Navy. Mexico’s medium-lift helicopters be used for transport and civil security missions as well. Despite the understated terms, these are primarily military helicopters that will address a military problem. In 2010, the order was doubled… Mexico and the EC725 Presidential EC225(click to view full) Mexico is currently facing a significant “open source” insurgency composed primarily of narco-traffickers, with other elements thrown into the uncoordinated mix. The violence associated with “The Cartel War” has reportedly claimed around 28,000 lives over the last 4 years, and Mexico is busy beefing up its military capabilities on several fronts in order to cope. UAVs and aerostats, integrated urban surveillance systems, and quick-response helicopter transport all provide useful counterinsurgency capabilities – if they can be complemented by good on-the-ground intelligence and solid governance. Mexico already has some experience with this helicopter type. The civilian EC225 version has a separate order base, and currently […]