Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, official distributor for the AW139, AW169 and AW189 types in Japan, have announced an order for two more AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters, with deliveries expected in 2028.This contract was signed in the framework of the Distributorship Agreement renewal announced last year and based on a commitment to procure eleven new helicopters from all types over the 2025-2027 period. This latest order comes at a time when multiple public service requirements emerge in Japan, particularly for law enforcement and firefighting duties, market segments where this model has achieved an established presence and success in the country among several operators.

Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace have more than 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 more than 90 helicopters in the 5-to-9-ton weight categories to national, local and private operators, and more units are already contracted and scheduled for delivery this year.

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 with almost 80 currently in service, but also a true icon across the globe as an undisputed bestseller: over 1500 on order globally with around 300 customers from more than 90 countries. The AW189 super medium and AW169 light-intermediate 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.