Aircraft

PICTURE: Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau takes delivery of two AgustWestland helicopters

By Barbara Cockburn

Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau has taken delivery of an AgustaWestland AW109 Power light twin and one AW139 medium twin helicopter.

 

The deliveries strengthen China for law enforcement applications and several other commercial missions

Beijing took delivery of the aircraft, part of an order placed in June 2006 that also includes two CA109 Power helicopters produced by the Jiangxi Change Agusta Helicopter (CAH) joint venture company in China, at AgustaWestland's Vergiate facility in Italy on 28 July.

The contract was the first contract awarded to CAH, established in 2005, to meet the growing Chinese light twin civil, law enforcement and emergency medical service helicopter market. The helicopters will perform law enforcement and security operations during the 2008 Olympic Games.

The AW109 Power has been operating in China since 2004 when the Shenzhen Police took delivery of a helicopter. 

AgustaWestland CEO,Giuseppe Orsi said: "We are ... committed to offer the best law enforcement helicopters and this delivery will dramatically enhance the operational capabilities and effectiveness of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau."