SAR - AW189 i UK

Bristow Group Orders AW189s for U.K. SAR Program

 

The Bristow Group on Tuesday signed a contract with AgustaWestland to purchase 11 AW189 helicopters for the U.K. Department for Transport's search and rescue (SAR) program. 

 

 

(Bristow Signing Ceremony: Standing, Left to Right - Daniele Romiti, CEO, AgustaWestland; Patrick McLoughlin MP, Secretary of State for Transport and Mark Duncan, Senior Vice President Commercial, Bristow Group) 

(Seated, Left to Right - Geoff Hoon, SVP International Business, AgustaWestland and Mike Imlach, Director of European Operations, Bristow Group. Photo, courtesy of AgustaWestland.)

 

AgustaWestland will provide maintenance and training support for the newly purchased helicopters, bringing the total value of the program to over $363 million. The Department for Transport issued a contract to Bristow Helicopters in March for the program. Under the agreement, Bristow will provide SAR services to the U.K. for 10 years. 

 

Bristow is expecting a "phased introduction into service" for the new AW189s between 2015 and 2017. 

 

"This is good news for those who rely on our search and rescue helicopters and good news for British manufacturing," said Patrick McLoughlin, MP, secretary of state for transport.