Italian Customs and Border Protection Service aircraft to perform maritime surveillance and patrol

Leonardo has signed a contract, valued at around €90 million, to supply six additional AW139 intermediate twin helicopters to the Italian Customs and Border Protection Service (Guardia di Finanza), including integrated logistic support and training for pilots and technicians, increasing the customer’s fleet of AW139s to eight. Deliveries are expected to start in mid-2017 and to be completed in 2019.

The AW139s will be used to perform a range of missions including maritime surveillance and patrol, maritime and mountain reconnaissance, law enforcement, and homeland security. The order also includes options for six additional helicopters, allowing the operator to take a further step towards replacement of its ageing AB412 fleet. The AW139 has been selected by the customer following a European Tender launched in mid-2016.