Austria carries the first Leonardo AW169
During the ceremony, the option to purchase a further 18 helicopters was signed – this means that the army will have a total of 36 new helicopters by 2028. The total costs amount to approx. 873 million euros, which already includes, for example, the costs for the construction and renovation of hangar systems, simulator buildings or similar.
Twelve helicopters of the AW169B variant (training helicopters) and 24 of the AW169MA variant (armed tactical helicopters) will be delivered, as well as a comprehensive support and training package in Austria. 24 machines are stationed as training or mission helicopters in Langenlebarn and 12 mission helicopters in Aigen/Ennstal.
The new helicopters are intended to succeed the Alouette III light liaison and transport helicopters, which will be retired in 2023.
The AW169 can be used, among other things, for transporting people and materials as well as for fire fighting. For example, the helicopter can transport two to three times as much water as an Alouette, i.e. around 1500 liters. The modern avionics enable the fulfillment of all operational tasks even at night or in poor weather conditions.
The possible uses range from troop transport, disaster relief and emergency response to firefighting, mountain rescue and medical evacuation flights to air protection in the armed version.
The AW169 is a 5-ton class helicopter powered by two 826 kW continuous engines. It reaches a top speed of 270 km/h and can fly over 800 km. The maximum flight duration is up to 4.3 hours. The payload of the helicopter is up to two tons and up to twelve people can be transported.