Royal Oman Police achieves 20,000 flight hours with Leonardo AW139
The ROP was one of the first operators in the world to use this helicopter
On 14 June, Leonardo and the Royal Oman Police (ROP) marked the achievement of 20,000 flight hours performed by the ROP’s fleet of Leonardo AW139 helicopters.
The ROP was one of the first operators in the world to believe in the AW139’s advanced capabilities, resulting in the first contract signature in 2004.
Its fleet comprises AW139 and AW109 helicopters to perform a range of missions, such as detecting criminal activities, illegal border crossings, and suspicious movements of people, as well as search and rescue (SAR) operations in challenging terrain.
Colonel Pilot Bader Al Siyabi of the ROP’s Directorate General of Police Aviation said: “The AW139 provides a versatile platform that can adapt to different situations and requirements, enhancing the ROP’s operational capabilities and overall effectiveness, and performing various missions to support law enforcement and public safety in Oman.”
He also noted that the helicopters have ‘advanced SAR systems’, which can be used ‘to locate missing people, assist in medical evacuations and provide support during cyclones and other adverse weather events’.
The helicopters are also used in air ambulance and firefighting roles, alongside their central mission of law enforcement.
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