DTN News: South Korea TODAY September 2, 2009 ~ Korea National Police Agency Order An AgustaWestland AW119Ke

DTN News: South Korea TODAY September 2, 2009 ~ Korea National Police Agency Order An AgustaWestland AW119Ke *Source: DTN News / AgustaWestland

(NSI News Source Info) SEOUL, South Korea - September 2, 2009: AgustaWestland and UI International (UII) are pleased to announce they have been awarded a contract by the Korean Public Procurement Services to supply the Korea National Police Agency (KNPA) with one AW119Ke law enforcement helicopter as part of an on-going programme to modernise the Police helicopter fleet.

AugustaWestland will deliver a AW119Ke enforcement helicopter to the Korea National Police Agency (KNPA) as a part of the police force's modernisation plan. The AW119 Koala enhanced is an eight-seat single-engine helicopter that can be used for a variety of missions including utility, passenger transport, emergency medical services and law enforcement. To support law enforcement, the helicopter will be equipped with a powerful search light and a cargo hook will be fitted for utility operations. The AW119Ke is the first to be purchased by the Korean Government and the third law enforcement helicopter sold into the Korean market. The addition to the KNPA fleet of law enforcement helicopters will represent a step up in capability for the Korean law enforcement service in the country, according to a Augusta statement. UI Helicopter has established an approved AgustaWestland customer support facility in Korea to provide local support to the KNPA.

This is the first AW119Ke to be purchased by the Korean Government and the third law enforcement helicopter sold into the Korean market. It will join two KNPA AW109 helicopters that have been in service for a number of years.

The AW119 Koala enhanced is a spacious 8 seat single engine helicopter developed to enhance safety and provide high productivity and performance at a competitive price.

The large unobstructed cabin permits rapid re-configuration for a variety of missions such as utility, passenger transport, emergency medical services and the very popular law enforcement role. The high power margins deliver outstanding performance that makes the AW119Ke the most cost effective helicopter in its class.

AgustaWestland and United Industries International believe that this latest addition to the KNPA fleet of law enforcement helicopters will represent a step up in capability for the Korean Law Enforcement service in the country.

To support the role the helicopter will be equipped with a powerful search light and cargo hook for utility operations. UI Helicopter (UIH), a subsidiary of the UI Group has established a fully approved AgustaWestland Customer Support Facility in Korea to provide local support to the KNPA. Earlier this year the first AW139 helicopter was delivered to the Gangwon Fire Fighting Department marking the first delivery into Korea of this popular new generation medium twin engine helicopter.

Three more AW139 helicopters are scheduled to be delivered into Korea before the end of this year and AgustaWestland has high hopes that the Korean market will provide an excellent opportunity for the AW139 and other AgustaWestland products.