Spanish Navy to extend life of AB212 fleet

The Spanish Navy has awarded a contract to extend the life of its AB212 helicopter fleet to a joint venture comprising of SENER Ingeniería y Sistemas and the INAER Maintenance company.

The €21 million modernisation programme will cover seven aircraft and extend their operational lives by around 15 years.

Inaer says that the programme represents an important qualitative leap forward in the air abilities of the navy and coincides with the commissioning of new Maritime Action Vessels (‘Buques de Acción Marítima’ or BAMs).

As well as introducing new avionics and communications equipment, the programme will also upgrade the flight and air navigation systems to current standards and incorporate new maritime surveillance capabilities.

The work will be carried out at SENER’s facilities in Tres Cantos and San Agustín de Guadalix, and at INAER’s facilities in Albacete and Alicante.

The AB212s, which entered Spanish Navy service in 1974, are generally used for liaison duties by 3ª Escuadrilla but also embark on the Spanish aircraft carrier, Principe de Asturias on which they conduct SAR and plane-guard duties.


Source: By Tony Osborne in London, Kan., 12 January 2012- Shephard Group / Rotorhub News(www.shephardmedia.com)

Photo: The Spanish Navy AB212 helicopter (Photo by shephardmedia)

(12.01.2012)