The key role of Eurocopter helicopters in Morocco’s homeland security, law enforcement, medical airlift, rescue and military mobility will be highlighted at this week’s Marrakech Air Show (4-7 April 2012), where the company is marking five decades of its rotary-wing aircraft operations throughout the North African nation.

Eurocopter’s participation in the third biannual aerospace exposition at Marrakech Airport will include the presence of Eurocopter’s multi-role AS550 Fennec, which is equipped with rockets and a high efficiency 20 mm gun.

“This year’s Marrakech Air Show underscores a 50-year relationship of Eurocopter and Morocco that has been based on a spirit of confidence and loyalty, with a full range of our products serving the Kingdom - from the cornerstone Alouette to the latest EC225” explained Loïc Porcheron, Eurocopter’s Vice President for Middle East and Africa.

“Eurocopter stands ready to continue supporting Morocco’s evolving mission requirements over the long-term,” he added.

The country’s largest Eurocopter fleet is operated by the Royal Moroccan Air Forces, like SA342 Gazelle and AS330 Puma used for armed reconnaissance, troop transport to support and logistics. The Royal Moroccan Navy operates AS565 Panther for search and rescue, coastal surveillance, and deployments at sea on frigates. An inventory of helicopters from Gazelle to Super Puma family is flown by the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie for a very large panel of missions from search and rescue, medical airlift and anti-crime to VIP transport.

With more than 600 rotary-wing aircraft currently in service throughout the Africa and Middle East, Eurocopter helicopters are performing a full range of missions in daily service, from homeland defense and security to law enforcement, VIP transport, utility and offshore  airlift for the oil and gas industry.