Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd. (COHC), the largest helicopter operator in Asia, and Eurocopter announced here in Farnborough the signing of a contract for two EC 225 helicopters.

Scheduled for delivery at the end of next year, these aircraft, the first EC 225s in offshore configuration to be introduced in China, will also be the first to be equipped with auxiliary pod tanks. This will increase the helicopter’s radius of action to more than 250 nm with 19 passengers, said Eurocopter.

COHC, a leader in the Chinese oil and gas market, operates 10 AS 332 L1 Super Pumas, five EC 155 B and B1s and five AS 365 Dauphins.

Eurocopter also received two other orders for the EC 225 in China from the Ministry of Communications for use on search and rescue operations by the Rescue and Salvage Bureau.

The EC 225, the newest version of the twin-engine, medium-weight Super Puma family, has a maximum takeoff weight of 22,000 pounds.