Italian Army receives first UH-169D light utility helicopter
The handover of the UH-169D was held of the Army’s aviation HQ in Viterbo. (Photo: Leonardo)
The Italian Army received the first UH-169D light utility helicopter (LUH) from Leonardo on 28 April, the company announced, taking a step towards the overall modernisation of the force's fleet.
The first delivery of this helicopter follows the delivery of two UH-169B training helicopters in 2020, which have since been used for crew familiarisation ahead of the transition to the advanced multirole variant.
The UH-169, according to Leonardo, was developed specifically for the Italian Army and leveraged the AW169 helicopter baseline to allow “a significant technology and capability leap forward”. The deliveries are expected to take place between 2025 and 2027.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities
Project Nightfall and Project Octopus both fall under the Lyra programme, with UK industry working to develop and deliver additional missiles and drones to help bolster Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities against Russia.
-
How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense
Modern C-UAS solutions must detect threats early, integrate layered sensors, and deliver fast, scalable, adaptable defense against evolving drones.
-
US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies
The United Arab Emirates has taken the lion’s share of this round, with the US supporting its F-16 fleet and signing off on possible sales for more AMRAAM AIM-120 missiles and a counter-drone system.
-
How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics
Defence industry primes are working on an array of different platforms to meet the growing need for rotary uncrewed aerial vehicles to carry out future logistics missions.
-
UK E-7 Wedgetail delay down to a “technology issue”, as MoD grapples with slipping timelines
The first of three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, originally ordered in 2019, is now expected to be delivered to the RAF this year after multiple “difficulties”.