The Army has awarded European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., (EADS) North America a $212.7 million contract to deliver 39 UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) as part of its total acquisition plan.

Of the contract, 32 Lakotas will be produced in the Army’s Security and Support (S&S) Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP) configuration, the company said in a statement.

EADS North America has already delivered 198 UH-72A Lakotas to the Army, on time and within budget, along with five H-72A versions to the U.S. Navy for test pilot training.

“We’re extremely proud of our track record of on time and on budget deliveries of the UH-72A Lakota to the U.S. Army, Navy and Army National Guard,” said Sean O’Keefe, EADS North America CEO. “The successful execution of this critical program is a result of the strong partnership we’ve built with the Department of Defense over the past seven years. The S&S Battalion-equipped Lakotas further demonstrate this modern platform’s flexibility for growth to support an even broader range of demanding missions.”

The S&S MEP contains a centerline electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensor, a 30 million candle power search light, analog/digital video downlink, rear observer’s console with a 15-inch display, an enhanced tactical communications suite, an onboard digital video recorder, 10.4-inch auxiliary displays for the pilot and co-pilot, and a video management system.

The S&S-equipped Lakotas Battalion MEP, integrated by EADS American Eurocopter, will be operated by Army National Guard units across the country and will expand the capabilities of the Army’s UH-72A Lakota LUH. The configuration enables Army National Guard units to seamlessly support state and local law enforcement and federal homeland security agencies in responding to natural disasters, law enforcement and border security operations.

The current total program of record calls for 345 UH-72A Lakotas to be delivered to the Army and Army National Guard through 2015, along with five already delivered to the Navy.