Will Be Used For Transport, SAR

After the full evaluation program the Irish Department of Defence has selected the AB139 helicopter for their utility helicopter requirement including troop transport duties, air ambulance, inland search and rescue and VIP transport. Four Bell/Agusta Aerospace Company AB139 helicopters will be delivered to the Air Corps. It is expected that negotiations will be completed later this month and a firm order for the delivery of the AB139's agreed.

In addition to the selection by the Irish Department of Defence, a number of government agencies around the world are showing a keen interest in the AB139 helicopter, whose modern design and certification standards, combined with its exceptional power-to-weight ratio and high-speed capability, make it ideally suited for law enforcement.

The AB139 achieved Italian (ENAC) in 2003 and European EASA early 2004. FAA certification is expected by year-end 2004 through the bilateral agreement between Italy and the USA. Several AB139s have been already delivered to European and African customers.  Additional AB139 deliveries are expected by year-end to customers in the government, commercial and private sectors. The order book currently stands at over 80 aircraft slated for more than 40 customers worldwide.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com