Sat, Jun 07, 2008
AW Fleet Recently Surpassed 100,000 Flight Hours
AgustaWestland announced Friday the Finnish Border Guard
recently selected the AW119 Ke as its new helicopter to sustain its
fleet modernization and enhancement programs.
A total of three AW119 Ke single turbine powered helicopters
have been ordered with an option for one additional aircraft. These
helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border
patrol, special operations and firefighting. These new helicopters
will be delivered in 2010 and will operate from Helsinki and
Rovaniemi (Polar Circle) bases, flying in the harshest
environmental and weather conditions and covering the entire
Russian border.
This order marks the entrance of AgustaWestland's AW119 Ke
helicopter into the European law enforcement and homeland security
helicopter market. AgustaWestland also notes the purchase
strengthens its longstanding relationship with the Finnish Border
Guard, which recently achieved a significant accomplishment of
100,000 flight hours with its AgustaWestland supplied AB206 and
AB412 helicopters.
The Finnish Border Guard's AW119 Ke helicopters will be fitted
with dedicated tactical equipment and certified to perform
NVG-capable missions. The AW119 Ke's law enforcement and homeland
security variant has a patrol time of approximately 5 hours and
also has the largest cabin in its class which can be quickly
reconfigured for different missions.
The Finnish Border Guard adds to a large number of leading
customers operating this helicopter type for homeland security and
government purposes in several countries including the United
States, Mexico and China. Over 170 helicopters including both the
A119 Koala and AW119 Ke have been ordered to date in more than 20
countries by almost 80 customers to perform various roles such as
law enforcement, EMS, VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport
and utility.
The Finnish Border Guard is responsible for Finland's internal
security, reporting to the Ministry of the Interior. The main
functions of the Border Guard are guarding Finland's land borders
and territorial waters, carrying out passport control at border
crossing points, ports and airports, as well as law enforcement,
maritime safety and performing search and rescue operations,
especially at sea.
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