First AW169 helicopter arrives in Austria
Leonardo has been providing training for Austrian crew for the AW169M in its Training Academy in Sesto Calende, Italy. (Photo: Leonardo)
The AW169M LUH helicopters will replace Austria's ageing fleet of Alouette III aircraft.
The Austrian MoD has received the first of an initial 18 AW169M light utility helicopters (LUHs), Leonardo announced on 21 December.
The aircraft is part of the Italy-Austria government-to-government (G2G) initiative signed in 2021. It aims to strengthen collaboration between the two countries and establish a strategic partnership in the rotorcraft sector.
Options for an additional 18 aircraft were also exercised in the framework of the G2G initiative, as Shephard reported in November. However, the delivery timeframe for the remaining aircraft was not disclosed.
Austria chose the AW169M to fulfil some of its modernisation objectives and to replace ageing Alouette III aircraft, which have been in service since the 1960s.
Austria operates 28 Alouettes with a planned out-of-service date of 2026.
Leonardo said the aircraft handover to Austria was an important milestone for the company as it marks the first delivery of the AW169M variant for export.
Leonardo has been providing training for Austrian crews in its academy at Sesto Calende, Italy. Austria will also benefit from the Italian Army’s training capabilities as an operator of the AW169M LUH.
Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo, said: ‘It gives us great pleasure to see the first AW169M LUH here in Austria, and we welcome the decision to further expand the fleet.
‘We look forward to providing an even greater contribution with the most technologically advanced and cost-effective solution to meet the stringent requirements set by the collaboration between the two governments. We’re committed to sustaining this important and growing programme.’
The AW169M is the military version of the multirole AW169.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![JF-17 fighter fills expanding niche in a competitive geopolitical market]()
JF-17 fighter fills expanding niche in a competitive geopolitical market
With orders from three countries, 2024 is unlikely to be the last of the export years for the joint Pakistan-Chinese fighter jet.
-
![Japan and South Korea upgrade F-15 fighters to keep them relevant]()
Japan and South Korea upgrade F-15 fighters to keep them relevant
Japan and South Korea plan major enhancements to their F-15 programmes.
-
![Industrial benefit or political distraction? Navigating the final assembly line]()
Industrial benefit or political distraction? Navigating the final assembly line
Using the example of the F-35, does rolling out a domestic final assembly line make economic or industrial sense for countries wanting to purchase new aircraft?
-
![Analysis: Is the C-5 Galaxy in it for the long-haul?]()
Analysis: Is the C-5 Galaxy in it for the long-haul?
What are the realistic options for replacing or replicating the C-5’s unique capability when it finally reaches its end of life?
-
![XTEND wins contract for precision strike drone]()
XTEND wins contract for precision strike drone
XTEND is supplying its Scorpio UAS to meet a US DoD requirement for an indoor/outdoor strike drone.
-
![US Congress limits F-35 procurement]()
US Congress limits F-35 procurement
Restrictions cover new purchases of the three variants of the multirole fighter and require the DoD to correct issues in the acquisition programme.
