The Rescue and Rescue Department (PRC) of the Ministry of Transport of China signed a contract for six helicopters Leonardo super-medium twin-engined AW189 aircraft, which will be used along the entire coast of the country in maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations. Fleet deliveries will be completed by 2023.
The PRC is China's only national maritime rescue and professional rescue force. It performs a range of missions such as emergency response to marine casualties in Chinese waters, rescue of life, ships and property, salvage of sunken ships and wrecks, oil spill cleanup and rescues for shipping and development of marine resources.
In addition, the Ministry of Transport of China fulfills the obligations of relevant international conventions and bilateral agreements on maritime locomotion and salvage on behalf of the Chinese government.
Currently, the ministry operates 20 helicopters in eight bases along the country's coast, with the six Leonardo AW189 helicopters being added to the fleet in 2023, thus seeking to increase its SAR search and rescue (maritime search and rescue) capacity for the 200nm radius.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo's Helicopter Division Physician, said: “We are happy to contribute to this crucial rescue program of the Ministry of Transport by increasing its capabilities. Selection of the AW189 will provide excellent search and rescue in demanding marine environment conditions. We look forward to working with the operator to introduce the new fleet.”
This contract confirms Leonardo's global leadership in the super-medium helicopter category and strengthens the company's position in the Asia-Pacific region. This is the second agreement made with China in less than six months for the supply of AW189 helicopters.
In November 2021, the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau acquired two aircraft to strengthen law enforcement, security and rescue (SAR) and firefighting capabilities in the Chinese capital's metropolitan area. The two deals a number of other types of Leonardo helicopters in China.
The growing success of the AW189 confirms the brand as the world's most successful model in the super-medium class through the number of orders, deliveries, applications, customers and flight hours.
Belonging to the AW family of helicopters, the AW189 (8,3/8,6 tonnes) combines a superior payload with a suite of advanced technologies to successfully operate a range of missions.
Features unique to this model include the ability of the main transmission to run without oil for 50 minutes and a built-in Auxiliary Power Unit.
The AW189 is available with over 200 certified kits and is delivered with a comprehensive package of services and training tailored to meet specific customer requirements and maximize mission effectiveness and safe operations.
To date, the AW189 is the most successful helicopter in the super-medium category worldwide with over 100 units available for a range of missions.
More than 200 civil Leonardo helicopters of various types have been sold to Chinese operators to date for a variety of commercial and public services.
With information from Leonardo.
