The Saudi ministry of interior (MOI) has signed a contract with US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to procure 12 S-76D helicopters and has also taken options to acquire eight additional S-76D aircraft.

Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, is a global leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service.

The S-76D helicopter is the latest model in the highly successful S-76 helicopter line which will fit for security, transport and other missions, said a company statement. Delivery of the first helicopter is scheduled for early 2012, it added.

"We're truly honored to work with the MOI and proud to be announcing the largest S-76D fleet order to date," said Shane Eddy, vice president of Sikorsky Global Helicopters.

"We appreciate the opportunity to show that the S-76D helicopter will provide the superior performance and capability that the MOI requires and is well-suited for operations throughout the region," he added.

Sikorsky, Eddy said, had produced and delivered nearly 800 S-76 helicopters.

"Among the S-76D helicopter's features are all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced Thales avionics system and autopilot; dual rotor speed for quiet mode operation with active vibration control; powerful Pratt & Whitney 210S engines; a quiet mode; and an optional Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) for all-weather capability," he added.-TradeArabia News Service