AgustaWestland announced at the Farnborough Airshow on Thursday that the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance of the UK has selected an AW169 twin-engine light intermediate helicopter to conduct emergency medical services (EMS) missions. The contract is the first EMS order in the UK for the AW169.

The helicopter will start operations from its base at Henstridge on the Dorset/Somerset border in southwest England in 2016 and will be able to reach any point in the two counties to quickly transport patients to hospitals and major trauma centers.

“Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s vision for the future assumes one of clinical excellence. The capability and flexibility offered by the AW169 made it a clear winner in our selection process,” said CEO Bill Sivewright.