Three new AW139s for Victoria, Australia

Leonardo has announced that it will be delivering three AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters to Victoria Police Air Wing as part of its fleet modernisation effort to provide enhanced airborne capabilities in Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

The AW139 is part of Leonardo’s family of new generation helicopters that also includes the AW169 and AW189 models, which possess the same high-performance flight characteristics and safety features, as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance/training concept. Configured for policing operations across the State of Victoria, Leonardo’s new AW139s will feature a wide range of tailored equipment including, among others, advanced mission console, camera, wire cutter and rescue hoist.

The helicopters, which will carry out a range of operations on behalf of the Victoria Police Air Wing – including maritime search and rescue missions from the Essendon Airport – will enter service in 2020 following dedicated mission customisation. The aircraft will be supplied by StarFlight Victoria and will be delivered from Leonardo’s Vergiate final assembly line facility in Italy in late 2019.

The AW139 is ‘already the leading model for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in Australia’, according to Leonardo – nearly 120 civil, public utility and military helicopters of various models have been sold by Leonardo in the country to date. Furthermore, over 270 customers from around 70 nations have already ordered nearly 1,100 AW139s.