According to recent documents from Rome, the Italian Army has begun the process of obtaining government approval for the purchase of a new batch of 29 Leonardo AW249 attack helicopters, which would complete the fleet of 48 aircraft the service aims to acquire. Specifically, this represents the third phase of the acquisition program, which includes both the completion of development to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC) configuration and the upgrade of the 19 units already under contract.
Expanding on the details, the third phase of the program is expected to begin in 2026 and extend through 2032, according to the document submitted to the Italian Parliament. Regarding the funding required, the amount is estimated at around €1.221 billion, which would be added to the investments already made since 2016, for a total of €4.647 billion. Breaking down that figure, it is noted that the first phase involved an investment of €487 million, while an additional €2.282 billion was allocated to the second phase, which began in 2020. Looking ahead, another €656 million would remain to be invested to complete the total.
It is worth recalling that in 2017 the first three pre-series AW249 helicopters were delivered, configured for Initial Operational Capability (IOC). In 2021, Rome decided to add four more helicopters of the same version, which were later complemented by another 12 aircraft in 2024. With these initial units, the Italian Army was able to involve the new platform in various tests, including participation in the Stella Alpina exercise carried out last year in the Trento region, located in northern Italy.
Along those lines, it should also be mentioned that the first two helicopters were tested in 2023 by Italian pilots under extreme heat conditions in the Calabria region, in southern Italy. For the same purpose, the platforms were also evaluated in the Córdoba region of Spain, another area characterized by high temperatures. The helicopter successfully completed various live-fire trials, including the use of its 20 mm Oto Melara TM197B cannon and 70 mm unguided rockets. Demonstrations with its new Spike air-to-ground missiles and an as-yet-unconfirmed air-to-air missile are still pending.
Finally, taking a brief look at the platform’s known features, the AW249 is powered by two General Electric CT7-8E6 engines that allow it to reach a maximum cruise speed of about 249 km/h and provide enough power to carry up to 2,800 kilograms of combined fuel and armament. In addition, the design includes an integrated battle management system that enables it to operate jointly with other nodes on the battlefield, significantly enhancing the crew’s situational awareness. Furthermore, the AW249 is known to feature an infrared suppressor that significantly reduces its thermal signature, as well as systems capable of integrating with drones — a particularly relevant capability today.
Images for illustrative purposes only.
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