Helicopter for fighting terrorism during Games to land in August

One of four helicopters that Beijing police ordered last year to fight terrorism during the Olympic Games will be hovering above the capital as early as August, the China News Service reported yesterday.

The A109 Power helicopter, manufactured by Italian company AgustaWestland, could be used for search and rescue, traffic control, chasing criminals and anti-terrorism operations, the agency quoted an unnamed executive of the company as saying.

The report said the aircraft travels at 285km/h, resists strong wind and boasts the world's most advanced aviation electronics equipment.

Another AgustaWestland model on the capital's shopping list - the six-tonne AW139 which seats 16 passengers - would be delivered this year, the executive said.

Earlier media reports said Beijing had also ordered two CA109 Power helicopters, manufactured by the Italian company's mainland joint venture Chinese Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation, of which one would be free.

AgustaWestland is taking part in the China International Exhibition and Symposium on Police Equipment and Anti-Terrorism Technology and Equipment in Beijing, where models of the A109 and the AW139 are on display.