Italy advances its aviation modernization by approving an order for 29 AW249 Fenice combat helicopters from Leonardo, valued at about €1.22 billion, as part of a broader light-attack helicopter program.

A third batch purchase of Leonardo AW249 attack helicopters for the Army Aviation branch covers 29 serial-production aircraft plus a training and logistics package, with an estimated total around €1.2 billion.

The program includes qualification, certification, industrialization, a ten-year logistics package, and a comprehensive training system with flight simulators, with public comments open until late November.

Delivery is slated to begin in 2027 in an operational configuration, with a contract to be signed imminently to support an accelerated timeline tied to Leonardo’s new final assembly line for the AW249.

The AW249 features advanced communications and mission systems, a new-generation battlefield management system, open architecture for future weapon integration, enhanced crew protection, and an aerodynamic design aimed at reduced radar signature.

At 8.3 tons, the AW249 integrates AW149-derived dynamics, a 20‑mm cannon, Stinger air-to-air/air-to-ground capabilities, and Spike-ER missiles, designed for networked operations and interoperability with unmanned systems.

First deliveries of the initial 17 helicopters are planned for 2027 to the Italian Army Air Corps, targeting an annual production rate of seven to eight aircraft and a goal of 48 AW249s to replace the aging AW129 Mangusta fleet.

Performance specs place the AW249 at a top speed around 287 km/h with a range near 800 kilometers, reinforcing its role as a centerpiece of Italy’s modernized European combat helicopter fleet.

Italy previously ordered 19 AW249s under two contracts, including a prototype and three pre-serial helicopters for testing, with a long-term aim of at least 48 total orders to fully replace the AW129 Mangusta.

A mid-October Parliament submission proposes upgrading 29 additional helicopters to Full Operational Capability while retrofitting the existing 17 on order to FOC standards.

Leonardo has been actively promoting the AW249 internationally, highlighting it at Eurosatory 2024 and the Paris Air Show 2025, with potential buyers in Central Europe and Asia.

The AW249 is intended to modernize Italy’s military capabilities and streamline procurement via an accelerated production schedule linked to a new assembly line, reflecting a broader push to expand its market presence beyond Italy.