Bulgarian Border Police takes delivery of three helicopters

An AW109 and AW139 in flight.

Bulgaria strengthens its borders with addition of AgustaWestland helicopters.

AW109 & AW139

The Bulgarian Border Police has taken delivery of two additional Agusta Westland AW109 Power light twin-engine helicopters and one AW139 medium twin-engine helicopter. The handover was performed during an official ceremony held at Sofia Airport on 15 January 2010 in the presence of representatives from the Bulgarian Government, Border Police and several other dignitaries.

The helicopters will provide an air surveillance capability on the outer EU borders, as Bulgaria is expected to be a Schengen Zone Member shortly. The delivery of the AW139 marks the entrance of the helicopter model in the Bulgarian helicopter market. Due to the capabilities of these two AgustaWestland helicopter types, the Bulgarian Border Police is able to enhance its airborne law enforcement efficiency throughout the country and to patrol its sea and land borders. The two AW109 Powers and the AW139 add to an AW109 Power delivered in 2010, enlarging the Bulgarian Border Police’s helicopter fleet to four aircraft.