The German Army has awarded a $34.4m contract to the helicopter manufacturing company Eurocopter to retrofit the army’s transport helicopters.

Under this contract, announced at the Paris Air Show, the company will retrofit 26 CH53 GS/GE transport helicopters providing personnel recovery mission capabilities.

The renewal contract will continue for an additional 25 aircraft starting with one proof-of-concept prototype.

The first retrofitted helicopter is expected to be delivered in early 2010.