Chinese order for SAR AW189s

The Chinese Rescue and Salvage (CRS) Bureau of the Ministry of Transport (MOT), People’s Republic of China has placed an order for six Leonardo AW189 helicopters.

These will be used across the coastlines of China for maritime Search and Rescue operations. With the acquisition of the AW189, a helicopter in the so-called super medium class, the Chinese SAR operations can be extended to a 200 nm radius. Leonardo expects to deliver the final AW189 by the end of 2023.

The PRC (MOT CRS) is China's only national maritime professional rescue and salvage force. It undertakes a range of missions, including emergency response to maritime accidents in Chinese waters, rescue of life, ships and property, salvage of sunken ships and wreckages, oil spill clean-ups, and other rescue missions for maritime transport and development of maritime resources.

In addition, MOT CRS performs the obligations of relevant international conventions and bilateral agreements on maritime transport and rescue on behalf of the Chinese Government.

MOT CRS currently operates 20 helicopters across eight bases along China’s coastline. These include Airbus H225 Super Pumas and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters.

Source: Leonardo