AgustaWestland 09 luglio 2012 12:43
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Exclases Holdings Ltd. are pleased to announce that three AW139 helicopters will be introduced into service in Russia to perform special security missions. These aircraft, which will be operated by a Government Agency to enhance security, are scheduled to enter operational service in 2013.
This order marks the entrance of the AW139 into the Russian parapublic helicopter market, further expanding the rapid success of this model across the nation where it has been chosen for VIP/corporate transport, passenger transport and utility missions.
The AW139 is already carrying out homeland security, law enforcement, coast guard and public utility roles in a large number of countries in Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa and North America.
The AW139, thanks to its outstanding features, has been identified and selected by Russian industry as the benchmark helicopter in the light medium weight category to meet a wide range of civil requirements. Due to its unmatched capabilities to operate in adverse weather conditions, the AW139 is perfectly suited not only for VIP/corporate transport purposes in Russia but also to meet the requirements of the parapublic market.
Almost 170 customers from more than 50 countries have ordered nearly 640 AW139 helicopters to perform a wide range of roles including law enforcement, homeland security, border/coast guard duties, emergency medical services, fire fighting, search and rescue, VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport and passenger shuttle services.
A civil AW139 assembly line in Tomilino, near Moscow, has just started operations. The plant is run by HeliVert, a Joint Venture company established by Russian Helicopters (a subsidiary of JSC UIC Oboronprom, part of Russian Technologies State Corporation) and AgustaWestland. The plant will have the capacity to assemble up to 20 helicopters per year, with production set to start in the coming months and progressively increasing to a steady state regime by 2015. The facility will employ over 100 people by 2015 when full production is established. The plant will meet the growing demand for the AW139 helicopters in both Russian and CIS civil markets.