Seven countries prep for Italian Blade
The European Defence Agency's (EDA) Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP) training event, Italian Blade 2015, will begin in Viterbo, Italy on 22 June. Around 40 helicopters from seven countries will conduct training exercises.
For this year's event aircraft from Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Germany, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Austria will take part. The Italian Army Aviation at Viterbo air base will host the event. More than 1,000 personnel are expected to take part, with the event scheduled to end on 3 July.
During the exercise, helicopter crew will be trained on possible future operations, with a focus on integrating ground forces into exercise scenarios in order to develop trust and common procedures between ground personnel and flying crew from other nations.
The HEP event also promotes cooperation in helicopter training and joint interoperability between multinational air and ground forces. It is one of several rotorcraft projects that the EDA undertakes, including the Helicopter Tactics Instructor Course and Tactics Course.
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.
