Aircraft Scheduled To Enter Service In 2014

A contract for two additional AW139 medium twin helicopters has been inked between Mitsui Bussan Aerospace and AgustaWestland. The AW139s will be operated by the Japan National Police Agency (JNPA) to perform multi-role law enforcement missions in the Toyama and Osaka Prefectures. These JNPA helicopters are scheduled to enter operational service in 2014 and represent the first AW139 for the Toyama Prefecture and the second for Osaka Prefecture.

This latest order bring the number of medium twin-engine AW139 helicopters ordered by Japanese customers to 40 including eleven for law enforcement. In addition to the Police in Toyama and Osaka Prefectures, the AW139 has also been selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police and Police in Chiba, Nagano, Miyagi, Niigata and Hokkaido prefectures.

AgustaWestland’s strength in the Japanese law enforcement market is further enhanced by 23 light twin engine AW109 Power helicopters, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police’s AW101 and recent order for two GrandNew helicopters by the JNPA.

The AW139 was selected by the JNPA after a comprehensive evaluation to ensure it could meet its demanding mission and safety requirements. AgustaWestland said in a news release that the contract further strengthens the presence of the AW139 in the Japanese helicopter market where forty helicopters have been ordered by customers including the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Japan Coast Guard, All Nippon Helicopter (NHK), Kansai TV, Japan National Police Agency, Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Saitama Prefecture, Hiroshima Prefecture and Yokohama City.

(Image provided by AgustaWestland)

FMI: www.agustawestland.com