Leonardo is attending the inaugural DSEI Japan 2019 and will be highlighting its electronics and helicopters products in-country at stand A680 on 18- 20 November in Makuhari Messe.

At the nation’s first tri-service defence exhibition & conference, the Company is looking to grow its presence in Japan, where Leonardo’s helicopters have been in operation since the mid-1980s as part of a number of key programmes. In recent years, Leonardo has also begun to provide advanced electronics to Japan and is currently supplying Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) technology to the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF).

Leonardo’s heritage in Japan stretches back almost four decades. In 2008 the Company opened an office in Tokyo to support its growing helicopters business and recently moved to a new Corporate Office to promote the wider Leonardo product portfolio in Japan. The Company has delivered more than 160 helicopters to Japan including the AW101, license-built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in-country for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), AW139 and AW109 types. In addition to the recent introduction of the latest generation AW189 and AW169 helicopters to Japan.

The helicopters are operated by local government, law enforcement agencies and military users for a range of missions including EMS, search and rescue, fire-fighting and disaster missions. The AW109 and AW139 are supported by a range of service centres.

At DSEI Japan 2019, Leonardo will be promoting its rotary-wing products. In particular, the AW101 helicopter, for further expansion with the JMSDF and the potential export of the airborne mine countermeasures capability and the AW249 for the JGSDF New Attack Helicopter programme. In addition to the AWHero Rotary Unmanned Air System for JMSDF and JGSDF opportunities and the AW609 tiltrotor which will revolutionise air transport and rescue/public service operations in Japan through its delivery of unprecedented levels of mission effectiveness and versatility across the nation and its many offshore islands.

In the electronics domain, since 2016 Leonardo has been supplying IFF technology, in partnership with the Japan Radio Corporation, to the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. At DSEI Japan, the Company will be exhibiting its IFF428 Mode 5 and IFF 426 technologies in addition to its Miysis DIRCM (Directed Infrared Countermeasure) System which provides dependable, persistent protection from IR-guided missiles, including advanced, all-aspect Man Portable Air Defence Systems missiles. Leonardo will also display Osprey, a low size, weight and power E-scan surveillance radar system, and its HF SDR Naval Radar. Through its existing footprint in Japan, Leonardo is looking to grow its industrial presence and key partnerships in country