Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), the official distributor for the Leonardo AW139, AW169, and AW189 helicopter models in Japan, recently announced new contracts signed with Leonardo for a total of six AW139s, aiming to fulfill the demands of various emerging prospects in the nation. These latest agreements reaffirm the ongoing triumph of the AW139 in Japan, with nearly 70 units currently operational.
The AW139 fleet in the nation is swiftly expanding with new deliveries following prior and prospective orders for end users in the country, which encompass two aircraft for the Japan Coast Guard (comprising 21 AW139s ordered by this agency) and two for the Japan National Police Agency this year. Furthermore, three AW139s are set to be delivered in 2024 to Ishikawa Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport in Hokuriku, along with Saitama Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief.
The AW139 has demonstrated exceptional achievements in Japan: currently, the AW139s in operation in Japan have amassed over 110,000 flight hours, engaging in various utility tasks while assisting several prefectures and city administrations. More than 150 helicopters of different types, including the AW139, are deployed in Japan, serving a broad spectrum of missions such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, search and rescue, firefighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering, and maritime utility.
Mitsui Bussan Aerospace Co., Ltd. is a trading firm that focuses on aerospace, defense, and security systems. The company imports and sells helicopters, aircraft, space, defense, and security-related equipment, while also delivering related services. Its offerings include Leonardo’s helicopters, defense machinery, aircraft engines, space ventures, and more. Founded in 1982, the company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
The world’s most significant helicopter program since its certification in 2004 and the top-selling model in its category, the AW139 has received orders for nearly 1,300 units from more than 290 operators across over 80 countries for a variety of missions. The global AW139 fleet has surpassed 3.6 million flight hours recorded to date. This aircraft features cutting-edge avionics with enhanced navigation and collision avoidance systems to boost situational awareness and lessen pilots’ workload, unmatched speed, power reserves, and overall performance, the widest cabin in its category boasting high modularity for swift reconfiguration, a unique 60+ min run-dry capable main gearbox for increased reliability and safety, and up to 1,000 certified kits.
