Tokyo-based Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), the authorised distributor for the Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopter models in Japan, has recently signed for six AW139s to meet the requirements of various upcoming opportunities in the country. These latest orders confirm the continuous success of the AW139 in Japan with nearly 70 units currently in operation.

Japan's AW139 fleet is rapidly growing with new deliveries following previous and planned orders for end users in the country, which include two aircraft for the Japan Coast Guard, comprising 21 AW139s ordered by this operator, and two for the Japan National Police Agency this year. Moreover, three AW139s will be handed over in 2024 to Ishikawa Prefecture Fire Fighting and Disaster Relief, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Hokuriku and Saitama Prefecture Fire Fighting and Disaster Relief respectively.

The AW139 has proven extremely successful in Japan: in-service units there have logged in excess of 110,000 flight hours, performing several utility operations as well as supporting several prefectures and city authorities. Over 150 helicopters of various types, including the AW139, are in service in the country and used for a wide range of missions including law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, fire-fighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering and maritime utility.

MBA specialises in aerospace, defence and security systems, and imports and sells helicopters, aircraft, space, defence and security-related equipment as well as providing related services. Its products include Leonardo helicopters, defence machines, aircraft engines, space business and more.

The AW139 has logged orders for nearly 1,300 units from more than 290 operators in over 80 countries to date for all missions, and the global AW139 fleet has exceeded 3.6 million flight hours logged to date. The type features avionics with advanced navigation and collision avoidance systems to enhance situational awareness and reduce pilots’ workload, unmatched speed, power margins and overall performance, the widest cabin in its category featuring high modularity for rapid reconfiguration, a unique more than 60 minute run-dry capable main gear box for enhanced reliability and safety and up to 1,000 certified kits.