AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Finnish Border Guard has ordered a fourth AW119Ke single engine helicopter. The Finnish Border Guard chose the AW119Ke in 2008 to sustain its fleet modernization and enhancement programme. All four helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border patrol, special operations and fire fighting. The first three helicopters ordered will enter service during the 3rd quarter of 2010 and will operate from Helsinki and Rovaniemi (Arctic Circle) bases, flying in the harshest environmental and weather conditions and covering the entire Finnish/Russian border. The Finnish Border Guard will also be provided with a tailored training and support package as part of the contract. The original order for three aircraft marked the entrance of AgustaWestland’s AW119Ke helicopter into the European law enforcement and homeland security helicopter market.

This purchase continues and strengthens the longstanding relationship between AgustaWestland and the Finnish Border Guard who has been supplied with AB206 JetRanger and AB412 helicopters. The Finnish Border Guard’s AW119Ke helicopters will be fitted with dedicated tactical equipment and certified to perform missions using Night Vision Goggles (NVGs). The AW119Ke’s law enforcement and homeland security variant has a patrol time of approximately 5 hours and also has the largest cabin in its class which can be quickly reconfigured for different missions. The AW119Ke also delivers outstanding performance whilst having low operating costs.

Source and picture: AgustaWestland