Leonardo has announced the expansion of its fleet of AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters in Australia with an order for two aircraft by Toll Helicopters.
The helicopters will supplement a fleet of three AW139s currently supporting a range of activities including pilot and aircrew officer training and utility support to ADF exercises and emergency response and disaster relief missions. They will be delivered from Leonardo’s Vergiate final assembly line facility in Italy in the second half of 2023 and bring Toll’s fleet of AW139s to a total of 12.
The newly purchased AW139s will support Toll Helicopters' contract delivery across two programs in support of the ADF: a Crash Response Helicopter Service for the 1st Aviation Regiment in Darwin and the Army Commercial Helicopter program currently based out of the 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville.
The aircraft features searchlight, hoist, cargo hook and provisions for EO/IR equipment, to support a range of training and emergency response and disaster relief missions.
The AW139 has been sold by Leonardo to several state governments to carry out a range of law enforcement, patrol and surveillance, maritime search and rescue missions and policing operations. A fleet of over 60 units currently performs these missions in Australia in addition to energy support and transport.