Leonardo to supply Carabinieri with 20 AW119Kx single-engine helicopters

Carabinieri, one of Italy’s main law enforcement agencies, has signed a contract with helicopter manufacturer Leonardo for 20 AW119Kx single-engine helicopters for its air service.

The contract also includes a comprehensive turnkey logistics support package and training services for pilots and maintenance technicians.

The aircraft will be assembled at Leonardo’s Vergiate facility in Varese and deliveries will take place between 2023 and 2026.

These helicopters will allow Carabinieri to modernize its fleet to strengthen and enhance the security of national communities. The service will achieve this by carrying out patrol and reconnaissance tasks over land, identifying critical targets, gathering investigation evidence, as well as supporting ground units’ activities. Other duties include environment monitoring and protection, and, if required by the National Disaster Relief Authority, firefighting in addition to rescue missions.

The AW119Kx helicopters feature digital technology, increasing operational effectiveness and lowing operating costs. Their equipment will allow full interoperability with other Carabinieri’s assets and full cooperation with those of other armed forces and government agencies in Italy and internationally.

Carabinieri’s AW119Kxs will feature a high definition electro-optic surveillance system, cargo hook, mission console with datalink, hyperspectral system for environment monitoring, radio, wire cutter, search light and a Bambi Bucket. Provisions for a floating system and life raft and a snow kit are also included.

Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director at Leonardo Helicopters, said: “The introduction of the AW119Kx in the Carabinieri Air Service’s fleet ideally integrates the capabilities the operator already has chosen thanks to the AW139s and AW169s.

“The helicopters respond to the wide spectrum of the Air Service’s requirements considering their national duties and an evolving and increasingly complex operational scenario. We’re proud to continue to support the Carabinieri with capabilities that are able to face new security challenges and benefit the national communities.”

Leonardo has recently performed high-altitude AW101 performance tests successfully during trials in the US.