Fri, Mar 03, 2006
Fourteen Helicopters Ordered For Japanese Defense Force
AgustaWestland announced Friday the delivery by Kawasaki of the
first of 14 EH101 helicopters to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense
Force (JMSDF). The handover ceremony took place at Kawasaki
Aerospace’s Gifu plant.
The helicopter is the first of 14 aircraft selected by the
Japanese Defense Agency to meet its transportation, Airborne Mine
Counter Measures (AMCM) and Antarctic support requirements.
"Introducing into operation a sophisticated new product such as
the MCH 101 is a challenging task: however we are convinced that
the AgustaWestland, Kawasaki and Marubeni teams will further
develop the excellent working relationship with the JMSDF to
achieve the expected goals and to make this program a great
success," said AgustaWestland CEO Giuseppe Orsi. "This on-schedule
delivery is the first example of the good results that this team
has achieved and will continue to deliver."
AgustaWestland and Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) signed a
licence and purchase agreement in 2003 to produce and support the
Japanese EH101s.
KHI has established
manufacturing, test flight and support facilities at its Gifu works
in Japan. Fourteen utility rear-ramped variants of the EH101 have
been selected to replace the JMSDF’s fleet of Sikorsky
MH-53Es and S-61s. Assembly of the second aircraft is already
underway in Japan and the remaining 12 aircraft kits will be
prepared by AgustaWestland in the UK for final assembly by Kawasaki
in Japan.
By introducing this helicopter into its inventory, the JMSDF
joins a large family of EH101 users that includes the British and
Italian navies, the Portuguese, Danish, Canadian and British Air
Forces, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and soon the US Marine
Corps.
AgustaWestland representatives tell Aero-News the JMSDF delivery
-- and the recent contract for 12 AW139
helicopters for Mitsui Bussan Aerospace --
highlights AgustaWestland’s strengthened position in the
Japanese market. More than 30 out of 53 helicopters ordered so far
are in service with civil and government operators.
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