The contract for the third Leonardo AW169 multipurpose transport helicopter was signed today in the presence of the Minister of the Interior, mag. Tatjane Bobnar ceremoniously signed by Acting Director General of the Police, M.Sc. Boštjan Lindav and representative of Leonardo S. p. A., Italy, Andrea Mirteto.

The total value of the contract for the helicopter, which will be delivered by October 30, 2023, amounts to 14,408,532 euros including VAT, which includes the value of the helicopter with personnel training and maintenance.

The police will use the helicopter to perform all police tasks . At the same time, it also represents a new modernization of transport capabilities in the police fleet. With the purchase, the police implements the development strategy of the Aviation Police Unit by modernizing and unifying the fleet for greater safety of aviation operations, greater efficiency, better operability and cost reduction. The capabilities of this type of helicopter are already very well known by the crews in the Air Police Unit, so they will not need special training and will be able to use it soon after delivery.

The helicopter represents a new generation of helicopters that meet all modern aviation safety and noise standards. In practice, this means significantly better performance at altitude, significantly greater safety in the event of one engine failure, and flights to various tasks are performed significantly faster .

The main advantages over other helicopters of the same class are a high cruising speed of 260 kilometers per hour, a huge reserve of power, the helicopter can hover with full take-off weight up to a height of 3,500 meters, it can cover over 850 kilometers with one tank of fuel, while providing flexibility equipment for various tasks. The AW169 helicopter enables safe flying in almost all weather conditions day and night, has a powerful external winch, a powerful searchlight, equipment for the descent of raiding parties, a cargo hook and a completely flexible cabin that allows the installation of up to ten passenger seats.

We are delighted that next year the new AW169 will join the fleet of six other helicopters used by the police for police, humanitarian and other tasks.

The supplier is also very satisfied with the Aviation Police Unit, who says that the unit contributes greatly to the further development of this type of helicopter with its diverse use of the helicopter and its successful work.