Africa-Press – Angola. The Angolan National Police (PN) received, on Wednesday, in the city of Milan, the first helicopter of the new fleet acquired from the Italian company Leonardo Helicopters, with the aim of strengthening the corporation’s operational capacity.
According to a statement from the National Police (PN), the delivery ceremony took place at the company’s headquarters, in the municipality of Vergiate, in the Lombardy region, and marked the delivery of the twin-engine AW139.
The helicopter is the first of two aircraft types to make up the new fleet, along with the AW119Kx Koala.
The acquisition of these modern technical resources reflects the Angolan government’s commitment to equipping the National Police with state-of-the-art equipment capable of improving the effectiveness of public security, surveillance, and rapid emergency response operations throughout the country.
According to the General Commander of the National Police, Commissioner General Francisco Monteiro Ribas da Silva, the helicopters “will allow us to strengthen aerial patrols, support search and rescue missions, and combat organized crime more effectively”.
During the ceremony, the official delivery agreement was signed between Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales of Leonardo’s Helicopter Division, Stefano Villante and the General Commander of the National Police. It included a visit to the assembly line, technical tests, and the inaugural flight, which the General Commander himself conducted, accompanied by members of his delegation.
The contract that led to this acquisition was signed on December 10, 2021, between the government of Angola, through the Ministry of Interior and the Italian company, given its excellence, innovation and technological reliability.
The agreement provides not only for the supply of aircraft, but also for specialized training for pilots and maintenance technicians, as well as technical assistance in Angola, provided by TECNER, a company certified by Leonardo Helicopters and the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).
After the ceremony, the National Police Commander General visited the Leonardo Helicopters Training Center, where he was able to learn about the progress of the training of Angolan personnel who are part of the National Police Aviation Unit.
On the occasion, he praised the trainees’ commitment, encouraging them to “continue with dedication and professionalism so that, upon their return to Angola, they can apply their new knowledge to the safety and well-being of the citizens”.
With this delivery, Angola reinforces its commitment to modernizing its defence and security forces, at a time when the country is strongly committed to professionalization, technology, and operational efficiency as fundamental pillars of public security and national stability.
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