Leonardo has sold its first AW189s into the Chinese market, with Beijing General Aviation placing an order for two of the super-medium helicopters for delivery in 2022 and 2023 for the Beijing Police. They will be used for law enforcement, search and rescue, and fire-fighting missions directed by the newly created Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management.
The new rotorcraft will be equipped with searchlight, rescue hoist, tactical radios, weather/search radar, cargo hook, and firefighting equipment provisions. They will join the Beijing Police's existing complement of Leonardo twins—including three AW139s, three AW109 Powers, one AW109 GrandNew—as well as a fleet of 200 Leonardo helicopters already flying in China for a variety of customers.
Worldwide, Leonardo has delivered more than 80 AW189s. The helicopter is available with more than 200 certified kits and can be powered with either the stock GE Aviation CT7-2E1 engine or a 2,500-shp Safran Aneto 1K powerplant, the latter of which received EASA approval last year. The AW189, which received EASA certification in 2014 and FAA approval a year later, can seat up to 19 passengers, has a maximum range up to 490 nm, and is able to cruise at 150 knots.