28 Jan 2015

The Botswana Police Service (BPS) and Airbus Helicopters, Southern Africa formerly known as Eurocopter, signed a contract for the purchase of three additional AS 350 B3e helicopters worth over P115 million.

A press release from BPS stated that the Commissioner of Police said the demand for airborne law enforcement had compelled BPS to increase the number of helicopters to combat crime effectively.

He said since the first acquisition of the helicopters, BPS had enhanced its operations as they wereow able to attend to reports promptly, reach inaccessible areas, conduct research and rescue operations successfully and are able to successfully trace missing persons.

It stated that currently BPS has two helicopters; one is operating in Gaborone while the other one is based in Francistown. The third helicopter crashed in April 2014.

The commissioner thanked the government for having approved the purchase of the helicopters despite the prevailing hard economic conditions. 

He also thanked the French government for the support towards the capacitation of the Air Support Branch through training of Police pilots, Airborne Law Enforcement (ALEOs) and engineers.

Mr Arnaud Montalvo, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Helicopters, Southern Africa who was accompanied by the Chief Commercial Executive, Mr Gilbert do Nascimento said they have had a good working relationship with BPS which has proved to be one of the most professional police service in the continent.

He assured the commissioner that they will comply with the expected dates of delivery of helicopters. 

The first batch of two helicopters is expected to be delivered during the month of August 2015 and the third one in April 2016, the release states. ENDS