Japan orders eight AW139 helicopters

AgustaWestland has received an order from its distributor Mitsui Bassan of Japan for eight AW139 helicopters. The new helicopters will be operated by the Japan Coast Guard and the Japanese Fire Fighting and Disaster Relief Organisation.

With these contracts Mitsui Bussan Aerospace increases the number of AW139 helicopters ordered for the Japanese market to thirty. Ten helicopters are already in service with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, the Japan Coast Guard, Air Nippon Helicopter and Kansai TV. One helicopter for the Japan National Police Agency is currently undergoing local customisation and nineteen helicopters are now on order for the Japan Coast Guard, Japan National Police Agency and the Japanese Fire Fighting and Disaster Relief Organisation.

As a result of this contract the Japan Coast Guard will add seven units to its AW139 helicopter fleet bringing the total number of aircraft ordered to eighteen with six helicopters scheduled to be delivered to Japan throughout the coming year.