The Italian Ministry of Defence has launched a parliamentary process to approve the acquisition of an additional 29 AW249 Fenice (Phoenix) attack helicopters for the Italian Army.
The 1.22-billion-euro ($1.41-billion) procurement will complete a planned fleet of 48 helicopters, replacing the Italian Army’s Agusta A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) attack helicopters that have been in service since the 1990s.
This marks the third phase of the procurement program launched in 2016, covering the acquisition of 29 helicopters in Full Operational Capability configuration, as well as the upgrade of 19 aircraft already contracted in earlier phases to the same standard.
The phase will run from 2026 to 2032 and will include helicopter certification and industrialization, 10 years of logistical support, and the acquisition of a training system.
The AW249 Fenice
Designed for the future battlespace, the Leonardo aircraft is fully equipped to deliver advanced network-centric capabilities supporting multi-domain operations.
The 8.3-ton (8,900-kilogram/18,298-pound) aircraft is significantly larger than its predecessor and can carry more than twice the weapons load of nearly 2,000 kilograms (4,409 pounds).
The AW249 can perform missions such as aerial escort, close air support, and air interdiction, enabled by its combination of high speed — 155 knots (287 kilometers/178 miles per hour) — and a range of 430 nautical miles (796 kilometers/495 miles).
Its flexible armament suite includes guided and unguided weapons: 70mm rockets, air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, and a 20mm gimballed gun.
In addition, the AW249’s capabilities are enhanced through crewed-uncrewed teaming and air-launched effectors, both of which can be controlled directly from the cockpit to increase standoff range, operational flexibility, and lethality.
