Guardia di Finanza awards contract to Leonardo
Leonardo has announced a new contract with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, through which it will provide 22 of its new AW169M helicopters in dedicated configuration.
Leonardo has announced a new contract with Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, through which it will provide 22 of its new AW169M helicopters in dedicated configuration, including support and training packages. The new aircraft will be added to the Guardia di Finanza’s current fleet of 14 AW139s, and will carry out patrol and reconnaissance, law enforcement, rescue and homeland security duties.
Deliveries will begin in summer next year and are expected to complete by 2024; the contract is valued at approximately €280 million, with the possibility for further extensions to the support and training elements of the package (valued at approximately €100 million).
“This contract will allow us to deliver the Guardia di Finanza a new generation helicopter with the best technologies available, to perform missions which are getting more and more complex and challenging,” said Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo. “Our ability to provide state-of-the-art products to meet the requirements of Italian government agencies and armed forces, for the security of our nation, is the result of Leonardo’s leading-edge technology and innovation.”
The new AW169Ms will receive military qualification from the Italian Directorate of Air Armaments. Each will be equipped with rescue hoists, emergency flotation systems, life rates, wire cutters, TCAS II compatible cockpits, HTAWS advanced communication systems, searchlights and satcom, among other equipment.
The aircraft has already proven successful in emergency medical services roles in Italy.