China acquires six AW189 helicopters from Leonardo for SAR missions
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The Rescue and Salvage Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China (MOT CRS) signed a contract with Leonardo for six AW189 super-midsize twin-engine AW189 helicopters, which will be used off the coast of China for maritime SAR operations. Delivery of the fleet will be completed in 2023.
The PRC (MOT CRS) is China’s only national professional maritime rescue and salvage force. It carries out a range of missions, including emergency response to maritime accidents in Chinese waters, rescue of lives, vessels and property, salvage of sunken ships and wrecks, oil spill cleanup and other rescue missions for shipping and maritime resource development.
In addition, MOT CRS fulfills the obligations of relevant international conventions and bilateral agreements on maritime transport and rescue on behalf of the Chinese Government. MOT CRS currently operates 20 helicopters at eight bases along the Chinese coast. Leonardo’s six AW189s will join MOT CRS in 2023 to expand its SAR capability the 200nm.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo Helicopters MD, said: “We are happy to contribute to this crucial life-saving programme of the Ministry of Transport increasing its capabilities. The selection of the AW189 will deliver outstanding long range search and rescue in demanding maritime environment conditions. We look forward to working with the operator for the introduction of the new fleet.”
Just before the contract was signed, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau acquired two AW189s in November 2021 to strengthen the law enforcement, SAR and firefighting capabilities of Beijing Police Aviation in the Chinese capital’s metropolitan area. The growing success of the AW189 confirms that it is the world’s most successful model in the super-midsize class through the number of orders, deliveries, applications, customers and flight hours.
Belonging to the AWFamily, the AW189 (8.3/8.6 tons) combines superior payload and range with advanced technologies to successfully perform a wide range of missions. Among the helicopter’s unique features are the ability of the main transmission to operate without oil for 50 minutes and a built-in auxiliary power unit.
The AW189 is available with more than 200 certified kits and is delivered with a comprehensive package of support and training services, tailored to specific customer needs to maximize mission effectiveness and safe operations. To date, the AW189 is the most successful helicopter in the super-midsize category worldwide, with more than 100 units ordered for a range of missions.
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