Mitsui Bussan Aerospace appointed as AW169 distributor for Japan

AgustaWestland has announced that Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA) has been appointed official distributor for the new AW169 helicopter in Japan. The distributorship agreement, which  includes a commitment for the sale of twenty AW169s in the Japananese  market, further strengthens the partnership between AgustaWestland and MBA which has been the official distributor of the AW139 in Japan since 2005.

AgustaWestland’s head of region, NE Asia, Andrew Symonds said “Our partnership with MBA has contributed significantly to the outstanding success of the world class AW139 in Japan across a number of roles and applications. By appointing MBA as the official distributor of the latest addition to the AgustaWestland product range, we are confident the AW169 will find similar market response  setting new standards in its category. By doing so MBA also becomes a distributor for two out of three types in our Family of new generation helicopters introducing unprecedented levels of capabilities, mission effectiveness and cost savings for aircraft support and training.”

More than 70 AW169 helicopters have now been ordered by customers worldwide for a wide range of missions including corporate transport, air ambulance, law enforcement, utility and offshore transport. With three prototypes already flying and a fourth prototype planned in 2013, the AW169 is on schedule to achieve certification in 2014.