Leonardo and Bristow Group have signed a framework agreement for AW189 super-medium helicopters that includes 10 firm orders and options for another 10. Deliveries will run from 2025 to 2028.
Bristow currently operates 21 AW189s and has another five due to arrive on property this year. The company uses the AW189 in its offshore energy business to support government contracts for search-and-rescue operations in the UK, the Netherlands, and—beginning in 2025—Ireland.
Its fleet includes the AW119, AW109, AW139, and AW189. The fresh AW189 order will bring its Leonardo fleet to 110 helicopters. In 2022, the two companies signed a 10-year global service agreement covering Bristow’s AW139 and AW189 fleets. The agreement is designed to deliver more efficient logistics and savings to the operator.
The AW189 features a 50-minute run-dry main gearbox, built-in auxiliary power unit, optional automatic data transmission via satellite, 4G cell/Wi-Fi, and more than 200 available kits. Leonardo has delivered more than 90 AW189s and has an order backlog for more than 140 of the type.