POLICE helicopters made in Oxfordshire could be used in the fight against terrorism, according to its manufacturer.

Airbus Helicopters UK spoke about the capabilities of helicopters it makes as Defence Secretary Michael Fallon paid a visit yesterday.

David Lewis, vice-president of national resilience for Airbus, said: “The UK police helicopters – mainly EC135s – are the most sophisticated anywhere in the world.

“Sadly in the light of recent events in France, I think the next development we will be seeing is the use of helicopters to deploy specialist teams when you have a marauding terrorist situation.”

Mr Fallon was shown Puma Mk2 helicopters when he visited the firm at Oxford Airport in Kidlington with Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood.

Airbus Helicopters UK is the contractor for the RAF’s Puma HC Mk2 and has been upgrading the helicopters.

Ms Blackwood said: “Airbus is a valued local employer and is a growing global business and an asset to our military forces and emergency medical services.”

Our top stories

Airbus’s fleet currently includes 12,000 helicopters in 150 countries, and 100 of these helicopters serve the UK Ministry of Defence for transport, training and operational missions.

The Puma HC Mk2 twin-engine support helicopter, which can carry up to 16 passengers is based at RAF Benson near Wallingford.

An RAF spokesman said the Puma Mk2 would be considered for a variety of roles.

Airbus Helicopters UK managing director Colin James said: “The RAF Puma helicopters are nearing the end of their upgrade programme, worth £260m and signed in 2009, and have been praised by the Ministry of Defence and RAF for their great new capability.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.