The Philippine Navy Armed AW-109s to be Commissioned in May

The Philippine Navy (PN) has announced that its two armed AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters will be commissioned during its 117th anniversary on May 27.
The two armed AW-109 airframes arrived in the country last December as part of the five-helicopter deal signed by the Philippines with AgustaWestland in early 2013.
Three of the AW-109s were delivered and commissioned on Dec. 22, 2013.
The armed versions of the AW-109s will be armed will have machine guns, 20mm cannons and possibly with air-to-ground rockets.
For shipboard operations, the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures.
defense-studies

Malaysia to upgrade and arm S-61 "Nuri" fleet

Malaysia is to boost its ability to combat future militant incursions by arming its AgustaWestland AW109s and transferring upgraded Sikorsky S-61 “Nuri” utility helicopters to army aviation control.
Prompted by an incursion made by Sulu rebels in Sabah in 2013, Kuala Lumpur has already outfitted three of the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s S-61s with 12.7mm door guns.
The army plans to arm the AW109 helicopters with 7.62mm gatling guns.
Malaysia had previously planned to remove its aged Nuri fleet from use by 2012. However, with the nation having ordered only 12 of a planned 28 Airbus Helicopters EC725s as replacements, this has forced the service to prolong the life of its Sikorskys.
If proven viable through a pilot project involving one aircraft, up to 26 S-61s will receive upgrades to their main and tail rotor blades and gearboxes, and be equipped with a digital datalink, self-protection equipment, armoured protection and a pintle-mounted machine gun at the cargo door.
Malaysia’s interest in acquiring a dedicated attack helicopter capability has failed to advance due to budget pressures. Its army has previously evaluated types including the Airbus Helicopters Tiger, Bell AH-1Z, Boeing AH-64 Apache and Denel Rooivalk.
flightglobal

Philippines Navy to Commission Two Attack AW-109s by May

The two AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" attack helicopters of the Philippine Navy (PN) will be commissioned this coming May.
No date of commissioning yet but the target is to be in time or prior the the 117th Navy Day celebrations this coming May.
At the moment, the Navy's AW-109s is still undergoing Bureau of Customs documentation, duties.
The two Navy AW-109s, in disassembled condition, arrived last Dec. 28.
It is part of the five helicopter contract signed by the Navy with aircraft manufacturer AgustaWestland last 2013.
The first three units were delivered and commissioned in December 2013.
These AW-109s will be armed with machine guns, 20mm cannons and possibly, with air-to-ground rockets.
defense-studies

AW-159 Likely to be Philippines Navy First ASW Helicopters

There is a strong possibility that the AgustaWestland AW-159 "Wildcat" will be selected as the Philippine Navy's (PN's) first anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter as revealed a military source Tuesday.
The AW-159 (previously called the Future Lynx and Lynx Wildcat) is an improved version of the Westland Super Lynx military helicopter.
The helicopter has been ordered for the Royal Navy and British Army.
It is to enter service with the British Army in 2014 and with the Royal Navy in 2015.
Money for the two ASW helicopters will be sourced from Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Trust Fund.
Acquisition of the two ASW helicopters is under the Medium Term Development Capability Plan for 2013 to 2017.
The AW-159 ASW will be assigned to the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz.
The acquisition process for these ASW helicopters is expected to go on full gear once the PN completes its five AW-109 order deal from AgustaWestland by the third quarter of 2014.
defense-studies

Philippines Navy's Armed AW-109Es to be Delivered Before Year-End

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday announced that the two armed versions of its AgustaWestland AW-109Es are scheduled to be delivered before the end of 2014.
These versions will be armed with machine guns and air-to-ground rockets.
Three of the PN's AW-109Es, the unarmed version, was formally activated and tasked to join the fleet last May 21.
These aircraft were formally commissioned into service last Dec. 22.
The AW-109 "Power" helicopter is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
defense-studies

Philippine Navy Signs Contract for Two Additional AW109 Power Helicopters

AgustaWestland announces the signing of a contract with the Philippine Navy for two additional AW109 Power maritime helicopters. The helicopters will be used for a wide range of naval missions including economic zone protection, surface surveillance, SAR and maritime security. This latest contract brings to five the total number of AW109 Powers ordered by the Philippine Navy which is already operating the first batch of three aircraft. The order further expands the success achieved by this model in the Philippines for military applications following the contract for eight units signed by the Philippine Air Force in 2013. The two additional helicopters will be delivered in the second half of this year and will operate from both shore and ship bases.
agustawestland

Philippines Air Force to Receive 2 Attack AW-109s This Year

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said on Tuesday that two units of the attack version of the AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters will be delivered this year.
The Philippines and AgustaWestland signed the contract for the attack version of the AW-109s last Nov. 6.
The PAF’s AW-109 "Power" configuration will feature a dedicated mission package and equipment, including a combination of weapon systems.
The AW-109 "Power" is a three-ton class eight-seat twin engine helicopter.
defense-studies

The Philippine Navy announced that two out the five AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters that it will be acquiring this year are classified as combat helicopters.

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Friday announced that two out the five AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" helicopters that it will be acquiring this year are classified as combat helicopters.
Three of the PN's AW-109 helicopters are scheduled to arrive this December.
These are the naval versions.
These combat helicopters can be deployed aboard their Gregorio Del Pilar class frigates and in the future, as two of the modern frigates and strategic sealift vessels are set to be bidded out.
Philippines Navy desires force-mix of 18 naval helicopters to serve the fleet.
The AW-109 "Power" is a three-ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt and Whitney PW206C engines.
defense-studies

Philippines buy 8 AW109 light attack helicopters

Agusta Westland has won the bidding to supply eight attack helicoptersfor the Philippine Air Force.
The helicopters may be delivered next year if the budget is released soon.
A letter of credit is a document that assures the winning bidder or supplier that the government will honor its financial obligations.
The Air Force would be getting eight 109 Power (109 P) attack helicopters with 0.50 caliber machine guns and rocket launchers.
The helicopters should be delivered within 540 calendar days from the opening of the letter of credit.
philstar

Maintenance Crew of Philippines Navy 's AW-109 'Power' Helicopters Undergo Training

The maintenance crew of the soon-to-arrive to Philppines AgustaWestland AW-109 "Power" naval helicopters are now undergoing training in Italy.
Series of training are being held at Sesto Calende, Italy.
The first batch of PN personnel who will undergo avionics training have already left last month.
defense-studies

Mauritanian, Senegalese air forces order AW109 AgustaWestland helicopters

The Mauritanian Air Force has ordered two AW109 helicopters and the Senegalese Air Force a single AW139 from AgustaWestland.
The contract with Mauritania was signed on June 17 at the Paris Air Show.
The AW109 helicopters would be used for border patrol and reconnaissance missions, and would be delivered in mid-2014 in a multi-role homeland security configuration and the contract also includes training and support package.
Mauritania’s Air Force only flies two other helicopters – Chinese Harbin Z-9As delivered in 2003.
The Mauritanian Air Force has been growing in recent times, especially in response to Islamic terrorist organisations operating in the region. Four Embraer EMB-312F Tucanos were received from France in 2010 and 2011, while the nation began taking delivery of new Super Tucanos in October 2012.
Also at the Paris Air Show, AgustaWestland announced that it had signed a contract for a single AW139 medium helicopter, which will be operated by the Senegal Air Force. It will most likely be used for VIP transport.
The contract marks the entrance of AgustaWestland helicopters in the regional market, and includes in-country support services and training for both aircrew and maintainers.
Senegal is also expanding its air force, with the country recently ordering three A-29 Super Tucanos from Embraer. The contract was signed on April 10 this year.
defenceweb

New Philippines Navy Choppers to be Delivered December

The Navy is expected to receive this December three new helicopters that are seen to boost its maritime security capabilities.
The government is acquiring a total five AW 109 Power helicopters from the Anglo-Italian firm for P1.3 billion.
defense-studies

Philippine Navy Signs Contract For Three AW109 Power Helicopters

AgustaWestland announces the signing of a contract with the Philippine Navy for three AW109 Power maritime helicopters plus two options. The helicopters will be used for a wide range of naval missions including economic zone protection, surface surveillance, SAR and maritime security. The aircraft will be delivered in 2014 and will operate from both shore and ship bases. The contract includes initial logistics support and training for aircrew and maintenance personnel.

agustawestland

Philippines Naval Helicopters to be Delivered by 2014

With the signing of the contract of agreement for the Philippines' three naval helicopters a done deal, the Dept. of National Defense expects the aircraft to be delivered and commissioned by 2014.
This is expected to gain impetus with the submission of the letter of credit to the manufacturer, AugustaWestland S.P.A., within the first quarter of 2013.

On Nov. 28, AugustaWestland was declared by the Naval Helicopter Acquisition Project Negotiating Committee as the single calculated and responsive proponent after going through the process of a negotiated procurement.

The Italian Ministerio Della Difesa conducted a review of AugustaWestland’s proposal for the procurement of AW 109 Power Helicopter, including related logistic support and found out that the price per helicopter “seems to have been progressively reduced”, meaning they were sold cheaper.

defense-studies

Philippines orders 3 AgustaWestland AW109s, accepts refurbished C-130B

Philippines signed a contract with AgustaWestland on Thursday for 3 AW109 helicopters. These helicopters will be delivered to the Navy.
On Friday, it also accepted a C-130B that was refurbished locally.

alert5

manilastandardtoday

Australian Helicopters secures Rio Tinto transport contract

Canadian Helicopters Group's subsidiary Helicopters Australia will operate three new AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew helicopters on marine transfer flights for resource company Rio Tinto in Western Australia from next March.

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Comienza constucción de planta de helicópteros italianos en Rusia/ Russia, Italy to begin building joint helicopter assembly facility

La construcción de una planta en Rusia, para la fabricación de helicópteros italianos Agusta Westland AW319 ha comenzado, tras el acuerdo firmado en 2008 entre Oboronprom Corporation y AgustaWestland. Los primeros helicópteros saldrán de la línea de producción en 2012 y estarán destinados al mercado nacional y de otros estados de la CIS.
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The construction of a Russian-Italian joint helicopter assembly facility will begin on Tuesday in the town of Tomilino outside Moscow, Russian Helicopters has said.
Russia's Oboronprom Corporation and Italy's AgustaWestland signed an agreement to set up a joint venture to assemble AW139 helicopters in Russia in July 2008. The first helicopters are expected to roll off the production line in 2012.
The Russian corporation earlier said the helicopters produced in Russia would be sold primarily in Russia and the CIS, although they would be marketed worldwide through AgustaWestland's international network.
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BANGLADESH PIDE DOS AW109/BANGLADESH NAVY ORDERS TWO AGUSTA WESTLAND AW109

AgustaWestland, anuncia la compra por la Marina de Bangladesh Navy de 2 helicópteros navales AW109 Power, que serán utilizados para SAR, y vigilancia de la zona económica, entre otras. Serán entregados en 2011 y podrán operar desde la fragata BNS Bangabandhu. El contrato cubre entrenamiento, la conversión operativa inicial y entrenamiento de mantenimiento. El AW109 Power es un helicóptero de la gama de las 3 tm, ocho plazas, propulsado por 2 Pratt & Whitney PW206C. La cabina puede adaptarse rapidamente a la misión a desarrollar. El AW109 Power es el helicóptero ligero mas vendido para misiones navales. Es capaz de altas velocidades, fiable y dispone de tren reforzado para operaciones en buques, asi como medidas anticorrosión.
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AgustaWestland, announced the award of a contract by the Bangladesh Navy for two AW109 Power maritime helicopters. The helicopters will be used for a wide range of naval missions including search and rescue, economic zone protection, surface surveillance and maritime security. The aircraft will be delivered in 2011 and will be capable of being operated from the frigate BNS Bangabandhu. The contract also includes a comprehensive training package including VFR/IFR conversion for aircrew, initial operational maritime training using an AW109 Power Level-D flight simulator and training for maintenance engineers. The AW109 Power is a 3 ton class eight seat helicopter powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206C engines with FADEC. The cabin is designed to be fitted with a number of modular equipment packages for quick and easy conversion between roles. The aircraft's safety features include a fully separated fuel system, dual hydraulic boost system, dual electrical systems and redundant lubrication and cooling systems for the main transmission and engines.
The AW109 Power has established itself as the world's best selling light-twin helicopter for maritime missions. The AW109 Power's superior speed, capacity and productivity combined with reliability and ease of maintenance make it the most cost effective maritime helicopter in its class. For shipboard operations the aircraft has a reinforced-wheeled landing gear and deck mooring points as well as extensive corrosion protection measures. The ability to operate from small ships in high sea state enables the AW109 Power to perform its mission when many others helicopters would be confined to the ship's hangar. Over 550 AW109 Power and AW109 LUH helicopters have been ordered for commercial, parapublic and military applications by customers in almost 50 countries.