Beijing General Aviation Co. Ltd. placed an order for two super-medium, twin-engine AW189 helicopters, which will be delivered to Beijing Police as the end user aims to strengthen its law enforcement, search and rescue, and fire-fighting capabilities in the Chinese Capital’s metropolitan area. The first aircraft will be delivered in the first half of 2022, with the second one following in Q1 2023.
The contract marks the entry of the AW189 type into the Chinese civil helicopter market adding the super-medium class to a range of other Leonardo helicopter types, which have already been introduced into service over the years for similar applications, among multiple law enforcement operators. An established AW109 and AW139 operator, Beijing Police will now have access to greater payload and longer range capabilities with the AW189.
Beijing Police’s AW189s will feature a range of mission equipment, including search light, rescue hoist, tactical radios, weather/search radar, cargo hook and firefighting equipment provision, among others. The two AW189s will join seven other Leonardo helicopters (three AW139s, three AW109 Powers, one AW109 GrandNew) to make Beijing Police the largest Police Aviation unit in China with a nine aircraft fleet.
With the introduction of two AW189s, Leonardo explains Beijing Police also spearheads, among Chinese Police Aviation operators, an expansion into emergency management roles assigned by the newly created Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management.
