The Italian Coast Guard has taken delivery of three further AW139 rotorcraft which it will use for maritime patrol, SAR and EMS missions. The contract was awarded at the end of 2014 following a European tender and includes an order for two more AW139s, which will grow the operator's fleet to ten units, plus options for an additional four. The latest order also includes a comprehensive support and training package.

The Coast Guard has been operating the AW139 since 2010 and, since they entered service, they have proved extremely successful, performing operations along the Italian coastline and in its maritime zone.

The helicopters feature a wide range of SAR equipment including external rescue hoists, cargo hooks, wire strike protection systems, search/weather radar, marine band and satellite communication systems, high definition forward looking infra-red/low light tv systems, high definition mission consoles, optical proximity LiDAR systems, full night vision goggle capability, Trakka searchlights, emergency floatation systems and external life rafts.

The AW139 is also in service with the Italian State Police, Guardia di Finanza and the Italian Air Force. The various Italian Government agencies operating the AW139 are able to benefit from shared logistics, training and support systems.

This latest contract signed by the coast guard brings the total number of AW139s chosen by these Italian government operators to 37, covering a wide scope of public utility roles including law enforcement and homeland security, patrol, special operations, search and rescue, command and control, government and vvip transport, disaster relief and training.