Patria has signed a contract on the upgrading of the avionics systems of two Border Guard Agusta/Bell 412 EP helicopters in order to bring them up to current operational requirements by the end of 2017.
This system upgrade comprises the integration of the avionics and mission systems, patient stretchers, the infrared camera (FLIR), and the video data link. After the upgrade is complete, both helicopters will be NVG compatible; in other words, they enable usage of night vision capability in the cockpits.
The upgrade will ensure the operational performance of helicopters, and will extend their lifespan by 10 to 15 years. The value of the contract is approximately 3 million euros, with the value of the entire project amounting to around 4.6 million euros. After the system upgrade the helicopters will operate in Northern Finland.
“Patria’s quotation was competitive, and the technical solution that they offered was very good. This contract will ensure that the effective operation of our helicopters in the challenging conditions of Northern Finland continues long into the future,” commented Colonel Antti Pesari from the Border Guard.
As a holder of the EASA Part 21J Design Organization Approval, Patria is will expand its operations not only to cover military aircraft but also to perform demanding modifications on aircraft and helicopters on a civilian register.
“This is a contract of importance for Patria and an initiation of civilian major aircraft modifications. When performing this upgrade, we will be able to draw on collaboration between the various business units of the Group, their know-how and wide collaboration network. The design of the modification will be performed in Finland, with the installation work being performed at Patria’s site in Arlanda, Sweden,” Leo Vanhatalo said.
Patria has a solid background in performing modifications to military aircraft, of which the modernization project of the cockpits and avionics systems of the Hawk Mk51A and Mk66 aircraft can be referred to as an example. Following modernization, the lifespan of the aircraft was extended with almost twenty years.
Patria is a trusted provider of defense, security and aviation life cycle support services and technology solutions. Besides Finland, the Group has operations in Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Poland, the USA, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa. Patria employs 2,800 professionals.
The Border Guard is an authority for internal security which operates under the Ministry of the Interior. The principal tasks of the Border Guard include border surveillance along land and sea borders, border checks on persons at border crossing points, ports and airports, and SAR, especially at sea.
