The AW249 attack helicopter on display at Eurosatory 2024. (Photo: Giovanni Rasio)
Italy has begun efforts to procure a third batch of AW249 Fenice attack helicopters at a cost of €1.22 billion (US$1.41 billion) for the Italian Army, according to draft parliamentary documents submitted by the Italian Minister of Defence.
The proposed measure calls for the completion and development of the 29 AW249 helicopters to Full Operational Capability (FOC) configuration, along with the upgrade to FOC for the 19 platforms previously ordered.
If approved, the third phase of the programme, dubbed Nuovo Elicottero da Esplorazione e Scorta (NEES) or New Exploration and Escort Helicopter, is expected to start in 2026 and conclude around 2032. Deliveries
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The recent acquisition announcement for Cambridge Aerospace’s Skyhammer solution is a key step in the UK’s efforts to bolster its counter-UAS capabilities, but more still needs to be done to tackle even smaller drone threats.
While Denmark appears to be more committed to UAVs than most of its Nordic neighbours, its procurement efforts are likely to be split between American-made systems for its larger requirements and Nordic partnerships for smaller platforms.
The single-engine multirole fighter jet is seeing heightened demand with a sizeable orderbook and expanding export potential, as Shephard summarises the aircraft’s latest orders and developments.
The revised funding allocation will see up to 23% of the additional budget put towards stockpiles of munitions, with the country’s GDP spending expected to reach 2.5% by 2030.
The design and development contract is set to run until the end of June and will now enable the partnership to drive the programme forward as it targets its 2027 demonstrator date.
The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
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