Austrian AW169M procurement progresses
Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner and her Italian opposite number Lorenzo Guerini, after signing a deal to procure 18 AW169M multirole helicopters. (Photo: Austrian MoD)
A government-to-government deal for multirole helicopters between Austria and Italy marks a milestone in cooperation between the two countries.
The Austrian government on 4 December announced it has signed an ‘administrative agreement’ with Italy to procure AW169M helicopters from Leonardo.
A government-to-government deal was signed on 2 December between Austrian defence minister Klaudia Tanner and her Italian counterpart Lorenzo Guernini.
Shephard reported in September 2020 that a total of 18 aircraft will be bought for €300 million ($349 million), with the AW169M emerging ahead of the Bell 429 and Airbus H145M.
The new AW169M fleet will replace an ageing fleet of 21 Aerospatiale Alouette IIIs that are being retired by 2023.
‘The important thing about this administrative agreement with Italy is the cooperation beyond the field of procurement,’ Tanner said. ‘By this I mean, for example, training, logistics, material preservation and the possibility of sharing simulators.’
Austro-Italian cooperation will enable bespoke training on the multirole AW169M, starting in early 2022.
The first pair of AW169Ms is expected to arrive by the end of 2022.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
AW169M (Austria - Additional Batch)
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
