The Italian Coast Guard received three AugustaWestland AWS139 helicopters and ordered two more, the company said on July 6.
The delivery and order increase was announced at a delivery ceremony, attended by Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Graziano Delrio, Chief of Italian Coast Guard Felicio Angrisano, and AgustaWestland senior management.
The AWS139 is set to be used to perform a range of missions including maritime patrol, search and rescue (SAR), and emergency medical services. The new order also includes a comprehensive support and training package and options for four additional helicopters, the company said in a statement.
The Italian Coast Guard AW139 features include an external rescue hoist, cargo hook, wire strike protection system, search/weather radar, marine band and satellite communication systems, Night Vision Goggle (NVG) capability, new generation Trakka searchlight, and a high definition mission console.
The cockpit has fully integrated avionics with a 4-axis digitial Automatic Flight Control System with dedicated SAR modes, the company said.
The AWS139 is also in service with the Italian State Police, Guardia di Finanza (Customs and Border protection) and the Italian Air Force.
The latest order brings a combined total of 37 AWS139s chosen by the Italian government operators.
Other countries operating the helicopter include Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the UK, the United States, Sweden, Spain, Estonia, and the United Arab Emirates. Aboit 900 orders have been placed by over 220 customers in almost 70 countries, AgustaWestland said. Over 730 units are currently in service.
AugustaWestland is a wholly owned subsidiary of Finmeccanica.