AgustaWestland has won an order from The Japan Defence Agency.

Details were somewhat sketchy at the time of going to press but an AgustaWestland spokesperson said the current order is for one EH101 helicopter, although it is expected another 13 will be added.

The value of the order was also unknown, the spokesperson saying: "A lot of figures have been bandied around but we haven't released a figure."

The Japanese are looking for 11 RTM322-powered rear-ramped variants of the EH101 to be based at Iwakuni near Hiroshima for a minesweeping role.

The other three helicopters would be based on the icebreaking ship "Shirase", which travels to the South Pole each year to support a Japanese scientific research base.

The South Pole's extremely cold and windy climate makes flights difficult.

But the EH101 capability in such circumstances has already been demonstrated in operations by the Canadian Cormorant (EH101) SAR fleet.

Agustawestland director of sales and marketing, Bruno Spagnolini, said: "Japan demands the very highest quality product and we are honoured that the EH101 has been recognised as worthy of the JDA's selection.

"I am confident that we will live up to the customer's expectations and establish the EH101 as a key asset in their most professional navy."

Yeovil MP David Laws issued a statement saying: "I am delighted that Westland has secured this very important new deal with the Japanese Defence Agency.

"Workers at Westland ought to be especially proud of this new deal as it is the first time that the Japanese Defence Agency has selected a European aircraft of any kind.

"Well done to all those at Westland involved in winning this contract."

l The order is made as part of a programme to replace a fleet of Sikorsky MH-53Es and S-61s.