Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), the distributor for the Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopter models in Japan, has signed for a total of six AW139s, to meet the requirements of various upcoming opportunities in the country. These latest orders take the number of AW139s in service or destined for Japan to nearly 70 examples.
The AW139 fleet in the country is rapidly growing, with new deliveries following previous and planned orders for end users in the country, which include two aircraft for the Japan Coast Guard (comprising 21 AW139s ordered by this operator) and two for the Japan National Police Agency this year. Moreover, three AW139s will be handed over in 2024 to Ishikawa Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport of Hokuriku, and Saitama Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief, respectively.
