AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce the signing of contracts for four additional AW139 medium twin helicopters in Japan through its distributor Mitsui Bussan Aerospace. Two of the AW139s will be designated for the civil market and two will be operated by the Japan National Police Agency (JNPA) to perform multi-role law enforcement missions in Miyagi and Niigata Prefectures.

The JNPA helicopters are scheduled to enter operational service in 2013. These latest orders bring the number of AW139 medium twin-engine helicopters ordered by customers in Japan to 37, with nine dedicated to law enforcement missions. Law enforcement operators for the AW139 in Japan include the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Chiba Prefecture Police, Osaka Prefecture Police, Nagano Prefecture Police and Hokkaido Prefecture Police. AgustaWestland’s strength in this market sector is underpinned by 23 light twin engine AW109 Powers and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police AW101.

AgustaWestland’s Head of Region, NE Asia, Andrew Symonds said “This latest order highlights the continued success of the AW139 in meeting the rigorous requirements of Japan’s law enforcement agencies.  It also continues our growing success in the Japanese helicopter market in recent years, meeting commercial, government and military requirements by offering innovative and modern solutions as well as establishing strong relationships with our local partners.”

The AW139 was selected by the JNPA after a  comprehensive evaluation to ensure it could meet its demanding mission and safety requirements. This contract further strengthens the presence of the AW139 in the Japanese helicopter market where almost 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, Saitama Prefecture, Fire and Disaster Management Agency and Hiroshima Prefecture.

With orders for almost 600 units in more than 50 countries from almost 160 customers and 450 units already in service, the AW139 is the best selling medium twin helicopter in the world. AgustaWestland's success in the Japanese helicopter market continues to grow with strong sales in recent years across its complete commercial product range. AgustaWestland opened a new regional business headquarters in Tokyo in 2008 in support of its growing business in Japan. The helicopter fleet in Japan is also supported by three official service centres which provide maintenance and repair services, confirming AgustaWestland’s commitment to current and future rotorcraft requirements in Japan.