Italy’s coastguard has added to its orderbook of 10 AgustaWestland AW139 intermediate twin-engined helicopters with a commitment for two additional examples, plus two options.

The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6-powered rotorcraft will be used to perform a range of missions including maritime patrol, search and rescue, and emergency medical services.

No details on the timescale for deliveries or contract value were released.

AW139 Italian coastguard

Leonardo

Deliveries of the initial batch of AW139s began in 2010, following a contract award earlier that year. So far, eight helicopters have been handed over, with the last arriving in December 2015, records Flight Fleet Analyzer.

Italian government agencies including the police, customs and border patrol and air force have ordered a total of 41 examples of the AW139, says manufacturer Leonardo.

Source: FlightGlobal.com