The Italian Carabinieri paramilitary police are soon to decide whether to buy the Agusta A109 Koala or a licence-built version of the McDonnell Douglas MD500 helicopter, to replace its fleet of Agusta-Bell 206s.
At one stage, it looked as though Agusta would have to build the MD500N, after favourable testing of the machine and other factors saw the Carabinieri move in the direction of the McDonnell Douglas helicopter. In recent weeks, however, Agusta has pushed hard with its own Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37 single-engined Koala and is now expected to win the order when it is announced in early 1997 - primarily on the grounds that the helicopter has a wider fuselage than that of its rival.
The Italian helicopter maker is expected to secure a potential market for up to 50 aircraft as the Carabinieri, and then other local police forces, start to re-equip. The Koala, which can carry up to six passengers, is expected to be certificated by the middle of 1997.
Source: Flight International
