Italian Police receives fifth AW139 twin engine helicopter

The Italian police force has taken the delivery of fifth of the eight AW139 helicopters on schedule from AgustaWestland.

The new rotorcraft will be based in Reggio Calabria.

Italian Police helicopters are designated as UH-139C, and they operate from bases in Southern Italy in Bari, Palermo and Reggio Calabria as well as from Pratica di Mare near Rome.

Features of Italian Police’s AW139 include high-definition latest generation FLIR, satellite communication system, searchlight, rescue hoist and a cabin mission console, as well as a HD video down link which will be retrofitted to the existing UH-139 helicopters in service.

Italian Police signed a contract for a total of eight AW139 helicopters in July 2012.

The AW139 was selected following an extensive evaluation process of competing bids, and the variant was identified as the best value solution to comply with the country’s mission and safety requirements.

It is also in-service with the Italian Coastguard, Guardia di Finanza and Italian Air Force.

This latest contract takes the total number of AW139s used by Italian Government operators to 31.

Partially funded by the European Union Frontex programme, the new rotorcraft will support fleet modernisation plans of the Italian Police.

The AW139 is deployed in various public utility roles, including law enforcement and homeland security, patrol, special operations, search-and-rescue, command and control, government/VVIP transport, disaster relief and training.

It is the only new-generation aircraft in its weight category in-service to date, according to AgustaWestland.

More than 750 AW139 helicopters have been ordered from over 200 customers worldwide.

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Image: The new AW139 will support fleet modernisation plans of the Italian Police. Photo courtesy of AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company.