Santo Domingo.- President Luis Abinader presided over the handover ceremony of two new AugustaWestland AW-169 helicopters from the Leonardo Company to the Dominican Republic Air Force (FARD) on Thursday. These helicopters are part of the equipment provided by the President to military institutions.
The aircraft will enhance the Dominican State’s response capacity in various FARD operations, including combating drug trafficking, illegal migration, medical evacuations, natural disaster events, forest fires, and search and rescue missions. This acquisition is integral to the transformation and modernization of the FARD under President Abinader’s leadership.
These two AW169 helicopters are the first bi-turbine helicopters acquired by the FARD, making it the first institution in the Americas to possess this technology. They were transported to the Dominican Republic from Qatar and signify a significant leap in technology and modernization for Dominican military aviation.
The delivery ceremony took place at the San Isidro Air Base and was attended by Major General Carlos Ramón Febrillet Rodríguez, the General Commander of the FARD, as well as Mockbul All Obe, the British Ambassador to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and Lord Offford De Garvel, the Minister of the Department of Trade and Business of the United Kingdom.
During the ceremony, the helicopters were baptized under an arch of water formed by a fire truck and blessed by Colonel Chaplain Domingo Figueroa, Senior Chaplain of the Air Force.
The AgustaWestland AW-169 helicopters boast high maneuverability and are equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210A turboshaft aircraft engines with a thrust of 1010 hp. They are capable of reaching a maximum speed of up to 306 km/h and have a maximum takeoff weight of 4,600 kg, making them suitable for a wide range of missions.
The AW169 helicopters are equipped with advanced features, including a 4-axis autopilot for enhanced flight control and an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for ground power and autonomous start, increasing operational flexibility and reducing downtime.
These helicopters are highly versatile and can adapt to various missions, including military operations, search and rescue missions, and aeromedical transport, making them valuable assets for the Dominican Republic Air Force.