VIENNA -- The Austrian Ministry of Defense has tapped the Leonardo AW169M as its preferred helicopter platform to replace its legacy fleet of SA-316 Alouette III light liaison and transport helicopters that have been in service since 1967. The acquisition will involve a procurement of 18 AW169Ms at the cost of around EUR300 million ($354 million), per Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner's announcement on September 21.
A Request for Information (RFI) regarding an Alouette III successor platform was sent to manufacturers on August 21, 2017. Among the vendors issued the RFI were Leonardo, Bell-Textron (Bell 429) and Airbus Helicopters for either its H135M or H145M.
Ultimately the Austrian MoD opted against a competitive tender, viewing the process as difficult for forming cooperative arrangements with a manufacturer. These arrangements include joint use of simulators, optimized storage, and modifications in the life cycle of the platform, as per the MoD press release. The 18 AW169M units will be operated thusly: 12 units deployed for rescue and emergency missions in Aigen/Ensstal, with the other six units stationed in Langenlebarn and used for training purposes.
Delivery of the first new AW169M unit is expected in mid-2022 on the basis of concluding contract negotiations within six months.
You have 0 item(s) in your cart