17th October 2024. Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are celebrating 20 years of successful collaboration in the Japanese helicopter market. This longstanding partnership started in 2004 has strongly contributed to reshape and modernize the Japan’s helicopter fleet, with the introduction of latest generation rotorcraft models which have greatly benefited the widest scope of market applications and segments. Since then, the partners have jointly supplied 83 helicopters in the 5 to 9 ton weight categories to national, local and private operators, and 12 additional units are already contracted and scheduled for delivery before the end of 2024 and in 2025-2026.
Photo: Leonardo
From search and rescue to disaster relief, from fire fighting to law enforcement, from electronic news gathering to passenger and corporate transport, the Leonardo’s family of new generation helicopters including the AW169, AW139 and AW189 types have progressively delivered unique advantage to their endusers in terms of certification and safety standards, technology and true multirole capabilities, overall performance in their respective classes.
The first major step towards growing success of this collaboration was achieved with the introduction of the AW139 intermediate twin engine in Japan, which rapidly became not only one of the most popular models in Japan, but also a true icon across the globe as a bestseller and the most important helicopter programme in the entire rotorcraft industry over the last 20 years. The AW189 super medium and AW169 lightintermediate followed in more recent years, leveraging the unprecedented advantages of the Leonardo’s family concept based on a shared design, certification standards, support and training approach similar to the proven AW139. This has gradually allowed to respond to the growing demand in the Japanese market for a wider array of requirements in terms of range/endurance, cabin space and mission dedicated equipment and capabilities.
Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan are looking forward to a continued successful collaboration to pursue new opportunities and deliver even more advanced solutions to Japanese operators as the family of new generation helicopters keep growing in terms of mission kit and capabilities thanks to their open architecture and modern basic design.
Press release