Finnish Border Guard Orders 3 AW119 Ke Helicopters

(June 6, 2008) -- AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the Finnish Border Guard has chosen the AW119 Ke as its new helicopter to sustain its fleet modernization and enhancement programme. A total of three AW119 Ke single turbine powered helicopters have been ordered with an option for one additional aircraft. These helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border patrol, special operations and firefighting. These new helicopters will be delivered in 2010 and will operate from Helsinki and Rovaniemi (Polar Circle) bases, flying in the harshest environmental and weather conditions and covering the entire Russian border. Vice Adm. Jaakko Smolander, Chief of Border Guard and Italian Ambassador Elisabetta Kelescian attended the signing ceremony held in Helsinki today.

The AW119 Ke was selected as the best helicopter in its class capable of carrying out a variety of demanding missions following a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process by Finnish Border Guard officials, particularly focusing on performance and costs. The customer will also be provided with a dedicated training and support package.

This order marks the entrance of AgustaWestland's AW119 Ke helicopter into the European law enforcement and homeland security helicopter market. Moreover, this purchase continues and strengthens the longstanding relationship between AgustaWestland and the Finnish Border Guard who recently achieved a significant accomplishment of 100,000 flight hours with its AgustaWestland supplied AB206 and AB412 helicopters.

The Finnish Border Guard's AW119 Ke helicopters will be fitted with dedicated tactical equipment and certified to perform NVG-capable missions. The AW119 Ke's law enforcement and homeland security variant has a patrol time of approximately 5 hours and also has the largest cabin in its class which can be quickly reconfigured for different missions.

Source : AgustaWestland

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