Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland and Kanematsu Corporation  announced that the Japan National Police Agency (JNPA) has ordered one AW109 Power light twin helicopter which will be operated by Kyoto Police. The AW109 Power helicopter will replace an ageing B206 model and will be delivered to the customer in December 2015. The helicopter will be configured for law enforcement missions with role equipment such as a rescue hoist, search light and rappelling kit.

The delivery of this aircraft will bring the total of  AW109 series helicopters operating in  the law enforcement mission with the JNPA to 27, representing the largest fleet of a single helicopter type in operation with the JNPA and operating prefectures throughout Japan. The AW109 series of helicopters operate in 26 out of 47 prefectures,  representing 57%  market share. When  the AW139 and AW101 types are included the JNPA fleet of AgustaWestland helicopters rises to 39  with a further three helicopters scheduled to be delivered over the next two years. The helicopter with SBAS compatible GPS, which gives the pilot more versatile navigation methods, will be delivered in Autumn 2015 to Japan and configured to JNPA configuration, including the installation of local police radios, by Nakanihon Air Service in Nagoya,  one of the authorized service centers in Japan for both AW109 series and AW139 helicopters.

Agusta Westland press release