The French Navy has received the final EC 225 maritime safety helicopter (SECMAR) from the French Directorate General for Armaments (DGA), which will operate from Finistere Naval Air Base.

Two helicopters were ordered in December 2009 from EADS to replace aging Super Frelon choppers.

The EC 225 is a multimission civilian offshore support helicopter designed for search and rescue operations.

The twin-engine helicopter can accommodate two crew and 24 passengers and has a maximum flying speed of 325km/h.

The first EC 225 was delivered to the French Navy in April 2010.