From April 2016, AAR Airlift will provide all-year search and rescue (SAR) coverage for the Falkland Islands, using an undisclosed number of AW189 SAR and S-61 support helicopters (pictured). (IHS/Gareth Jennings)
AAR Airlift has been awarded a GBP180 million (USD275 million) contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide a 10-year rotary-winged search and rescue (SAR) service for the Falkland Islands, the company announced on 19 January.
The contract, which will be supported by British International Helicopters (BIH) and Air Rescue Systems (ARS), will see AAR Airlift operate an undisclosed number of AgustaWestland AW189 SAR and Sikorsky S-61 support helicopters out of the Mount Pleasant Complex, covering the islands and surrounding maritime domain.
According to the company, the mission will include all-weather SAR, helicopter emergency medical services (EMS), rescue hoist operations, passenger and cargo transfers, day and night (with night vision imaging systems).
