Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, the authorized distributor for the Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopter models in Japan, ordered six AW139s. Mitsui is a trading company that specializes in aerospace, defence and security systems. Founded in 1982 and based in Tokyo, the company imports and sells helicopters, aircraft, space, defence, and security-related equipment, as well as providing related services.
There are currently close to 70 AW139 helicopters operating in the country, collectively logging more than 110,000 flight hours on a range of missions. Leonardo also points to year 2023 orders for two AW139s for the Japan Coast Guard (comprising 21 AW139s ordered by this operator) and two for the Japan National Police Agency. Three AW139s will be handed over in 2024 to Ishikawa Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport of Hokuriku, Saitama Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief, respectively.
Since its certification in 2004, the global AW139 fleet has exceeded 3.6 million flight hours logged to date. There have been nearly 1,300 units of the AW139 sold worldwide, with more than 290 customers in over 80 nations worldwide.
