TSAMTO, January 23. On January 20, Leonardo Group announced the signing of a contract for the supply of 18 additional AW-169M light multipurpose helicopters for the Austrian Defense Ministry.
The contract with the Directorate of Aviation Armaments and Airworthiness of the National Directorate for Armaments of the Italian Ministry of Defense worth 304 million euros was concluded after the signing in December 2022 of an amendment to the agreement between the Governments of Italy and Austria (G2G), according to which Austria exercised an option for the supply of additional vehicles.
This contract will increase the total number of AW-169M LUH in the Austrian Armed Forces to 36 units. The first helicopter, in accordance with the basic contract, was delivered in December 2022. The transfer of the helicopter was an important milestone for Leonardo, as it is the first export delivery of the AW-169M variant.
The Austrian crews have already been trained at the Leonardo Academy in Sesto Calenda (Italy) with the support of specialists from the Italian Army. Deliveries of all helicopters are expected to be completed by 2028.
The initiative of Italy and Austria is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and establishing a strategic partnership in the helicopter sector. The AW-169M LUH will replace the obsolete Alouette-3, which have been in service since the 1960s.
The AW-169M is a military variant of the AW-169. The platform is characterized by high power and maneuverability, can be used in a wide range of operating conditions, including heat and highlands.
As reported by TSAMTO, on December 2, 2021, Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini and Austrian Defense Minister Claudia Tanner signed an intergovernmental agreement on the joint purchase of helicopters. On December 20, 2021, representatives of the Ministries of Defense of Austria and Italy signed a contract worth 346 million euros for the supply of 18 AW-169M light multipurpose helicopters of the Leonardo group. Six AW-169s will be delivered in the "B" training variant, and 12 units will be delivered in an improved "MA" variant with equipment for performing various tasks and equipped with weapons systems. The agreement included an option to supply 18 additional helicopters.
The interstate contract also provides for the supply of sets of equipment for performing tasks, a comprehensive logistics package, simulators, weapons systems, self-defense kits, reconnaissance and rescue equipment, as well as training pilots and technical specialists.
The new helicopters are designed to transport troops, fire support, assistance to victims of natural disasters and emergencies, firefighting, mountain rescue and medical evacuation.
It is assumed that under the option, six helicopters will be delivered in the AW-169B training configuration, and the remaining 12 units will be delivered in the advanced AW-169MA multi–purpose configuration. The agreement also includes the supply of spare parts, simulators, related training and support services for three years.
As planned, under the first contract, 12 AW-169M helicopters will be deployed at the base in Aigen im Ennstal, and six at the Air Force and Air Defense School in Langenlebarn.
