AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) has taken delivery of two AW139 medium twin helicopters. The aircraft were accepted by the customer at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate facility in Italy at the end of March and are now being used for training before being shipped to Malaysia later this month. Giacomo Saponaro, Senior Vice President International Government Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “We are very pleased that the AW139 will soon be entering service with the Bomba, serving and protecting the people of Malaysia. Having successfully operated AW109 Power helicopters since 2004 we are delighted the Bomba selected the AW139, confirming the quality of our products and support services.” Soon after arrival in Malaysia the aircraft will enter service with the Bomba and will be used to perform fire fighting, search and rescue, land reconnaissance and general support duties. The contract signed in January 2009 also included conversion training for aircrew and maintenance staff.

The AW139s will supplement the two AgustaWestland AW109 Power helicopters that have been successfully operating with the Bomba since 2004. This delivery marks further success for the AW139 in the fire fighting market with aircraft already in service with the Los Angeles Fire Department in the USA and the Gangwon Fire Department of Korea. The AW139, a new generation medium twin-turbine helicopter that has set new standards in the market, offers unmatched performance and safety levels and has the largest cabin in its class. State-of-the-art mission equipment and outstanding performance features enable the AW139 to accomplish the most demanding operations in the harshest weather and environmental conditions. Thanks to its powerful engines, each rated at 1252 kW (1679 shp) for take-off, the AW139 is perfectly suited to carry out demanding missions in the hot and high climatic conditions experienced in Malaysia.

Source: Agusta Westland