Leonardo to supply Victoria Police three AW139s
Leonardo has announced that three AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters will be supplied to the Victoria Police in Australia, as part of its Air Wings fleet modernisation effort to provide enhanced airborne capabilities. The helicopters will be supplied by StarFlight Victoria to carry out a range of law enforcement, patrol and surveillance, and maritime search and rescue missions from the Essendon Airport on behalf of the Victoria Police Air Wing.
The AW139s will be delivered from Leonardo’s Vergiate final assembly line facility in Italy in late 2019 and will enter service in 2020 following dedicated mission customisation.
Configured for policing operations across the State of Victoria, the new aircraft will feature a wide range of tailored equipment including, among others, advanced mission console, camera, wire cutter and rescue hoist.
This latest contract increases the use of the AW139 model for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) nationwide in Australia, with nearly 120 civil, public utility and military helicopters of various models having been sold by Leonardo in the country to date.