Austria orders 18 more AW169M LUH helicopters

AW169M LUH

Ministry of Defence exercises option with Leonardo and Italian government for the supply of 18 more AW169M Light Utility Helicopters (LUH)

The new batch of aircraft is valued at €304 million, expanding the number of AW169M LUHs being supplied to Austria to 36.

Deliveries of the first batch of 18 aircraft – ordered under a government-to-government agreement between Italy and Austria – are underway.

The first AW169M LUH was delivered in December. The amendment which made the option to purchase the second batch available was signed alongside this delivery.

The helicopters are intended to replace Austria’s ageing Alouette III fleet, serving in a wide range of roles including troop transport, combat operations, disaster relief and emergency response, firefighting, mountain rescue and medical evacuation.

Leonardo has confirmed that Austrian crews have already begun initial training with the aircraft at its Training Academy in Sesto Calende.

Deliveries of the full fleet of 36 helicopters are due to be completed by 2028.