Qatar Armed Forces have taken delivery of another AW139 medium twin helicopter from AgustaWestland for the Qatar Emiri Air Force.

The aircraft will be used for utility, troop transport, search and rescue, border patrol, special forces operations, law enforcement and homeland security roles.

The AW139 was introduced with a range of upgrades that include increased maximum gross weight for higher payload and longer range missions, a unique full icing protection system for real all-weather capability and a four-axis AFCS with SAR modes.

A total of 21 AW139s have been ordered by the Qatar Armed Forces, of which, three are dedicated to emergency medical service missions. The remaining 18 helicopters will be delivered by early 2012.