Leonardo, March 12, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - At Verticon 2026 (Atlanta, 10-12 March), Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, official distributor for the AW139, AW169 and AW189 types in Japan, announced an order for two more AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters, with deliveries expected in 2028.
This contract was signed in the framework of the Distributorship Agreement renewal announced last year and based on a commitment to procure eleven new helicopters from all types over the 2025-2027 period.
This latest order comes at a time when multiple public service requirements emerge in Japan, particularly for law enforcement and firefighting duties, market segments where this model has achieved an established presence and success in the country among several operators.
Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace have more than 20 years of successful collaboration in the Japanese helicopter market. This longstanding partnership started in 2004 has strongly contributed to reshape and modernize the Japan’s helicopter fleet, with the introduction of latest generation rotorcraft models which have greatly benefited the widest scope of market applications and segments.
Since then, the partners have jointly supplied more than 90 helicopters in the 5-to-9-ton weight categories to national, local and private operators, and more units are already contracted and scheduled for delivery this year.
The first major step towards growing success of this collaboration was achieved with the introduction of the AW139 intermediate twin engine in Japan, which rapidly became not only one of the most popular models in Japan with almost 80 currently in service, but also a true icon across the globe as an undisputed bestseller: over 1500 on order globally with around 300 customers from more than 90 countries.
The AW189 super medium and AW169 light-intermediate followed in more recent years, leveraging the unprecedented advantages of the Leonardo’s family concept based on a shared design, certification standards, support and training approach similar to the proven AW139. This has gradually allowed to respond to the growing demand in the Japanese market for a wider array of requirements in terms of range/endurance, cabin space and mission dedicated equipment and capabilities.
Kochi firefighters AW139 helicopter
Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are looking forward to a continued successful collaboration to pursue new opportunities and deliver even more advanced solutions to Japanese operators as the family of new generation helicopters keep growing in terms of mission kit and capabilities thanks to their open architecture and modern basic design.
About Leonardo : Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 60,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aeronautics, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes such as Eurofighter, JSF, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA.
Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (71.4%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50% ), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (19.3%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2024 Leonardo recorded new orders for €20.9 billion, with an order book of €44.2 billion and consolidated revenues of €17.8 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
This contract was signed in the framework of the Distributorship Agreement renewal announced last year and based on a commitment to procure eleven new helicopters from all types over the 2025-2027 period.
This latest order comes at a time when multiple public service requirements emerge in Japan, particularly for law enforcement and firefighting duties, market segments where this model has achieved an established presence and success in the country among several operators.
Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace have more than 20 years of successful collaboration in the Japanese helicopter market. This longstanding partnership started in 2004 has strongly contributed to reshape and modernize the Japan’s helicopter fleet, with the introduction of latest generation rotorcraft models which have greatly benefited the widest scope of market applications and segments.
Since then, the partners have jointly supplied more than 90 helicopters in the 5-to-9-ton weight categories to national, local and private operators, and more units are already contracted and scheduled for delivery this year.
The first major step towards growing success of this collaboration was achieved with the introduction of the AW139 intermediate twin engine in Japan, which rapidly became not only one of the most popular models in Japan with almost 80 currently in service, but also a true icon across the globe as an undisputed bestseller: over 1500 on order globally with around 300 customers from more than 90 countries.
The AW189 super medium and AW169 light-intermediate followed in more recent years, leveraging the unprecedented advantages of the Leonardo’s family concept based on a shared design, certification standards, support and training approach similar to the proven AW139. This has gradually allowed to respond to the growing demand in the Japanese market for a wider array of requirements in terms of range/endurance, cabin space and mission dedicated equipment and capabilities.
Kochi firefighters AW139 helicopter
Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace are looking forward to a continued successful collaboration to pursue new opportunities and deliver even more advanced solutions to Japanese operators as the family of new generation helicopters keep growing in terms of mission kit and capabilities thanks to their open architecture and modern basic design.
About Leonardo : Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 60,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aeronautics, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes such as Eurofighter, JSF, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA.
Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (71.4%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50% ), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (19.3%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2024 Leonardo recorded new orders for €20.9 billion, with an order book of €44.2 billion and consolidated revenues of €17.8 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
See also |
AW139 in
Mitsui Bussan Aerospace 
