Airbus Secures First H160 Order from Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 3, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) of Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications signed an order for one Airbus H160 helicopter, marking the agency's first procurement of the H160. The aircraft will be deployed in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu, joining the agency's existing helicopter fleet, primarily tasked with rapid aerial reconnaissance and real-time imagery collection following major natural disasters.

This H160 will be equipped with Helisat satellite communication technology, enabling high-definition data to be transmitted directly via satellite links, ensuring on-site imagery can still be relayed to command authorities even when ground communication infrastructure is damaged by disasters. The H160 also features the Helionix avionics suite. Airbus is additionally developing a customized snow landing gear for the H160 to accommodate Japan's deep winter snow conditions.

Kumamoto Prefecture has been operating the AS365N3 for disaster prevention missions since 2001, upgrading to the AS365N3+ in 2018. Once the newly ordered H160 enters service, it will operate alongside Kumamoto's existing AS365N3+. Currently, four H160s are already in operation in Japan, performing missions such as police duties, electronic news gathering, and firefighting.

Airbus Japan also plans to support the local H160 fleet through its H160 Center of Excellence in Kobe. The order announcement did not disclose the contract value, delivery schedule, or the date the aircraft is expected to officially enter service with the FDMA.