Cesare Caccia is Senior Vice President Military and Government International Campaigns at Leonardo. We spoke to the manager about the Austrian Armed Forces’ AW169, the similarities between the model introduced in Austria and Italy and the influx of the next Lions into the red-white-red armed forces.
Mr. Caccia, the AW169 is to replace the Alouette III and the OH-58 in Austria. Italy also wants to clean up its fleet with the same model, right?
Yes, the Italian army’s rationalization process provides for a smaller variety of types with more operational flexibility and more modern equipment. In addition to the large CH-47 Chinook and the AW269 combat helicopter, the AW169 – known as the UH-169D in Italy – is to replace the AW109, which has already been decommissioned, as well as the old “205”, “206”, “212” and “412” Huey series. The 2020 army report envisages 50 aircraft, of which we have already delivered 17. Austria is thus receiving a model that has already been tested; the military version of the AW169 has also been in service with the Guardia di Finanza since the beginning of 2021. Both high-altitude and maritime missions have been defined for the planned 22 “169s”. https://militaeraktuell.at/bae-systems-saab-erhaelt-subauftrag-fuer-cv-90/
The Italian financial watchdog operates a military model?
The Guardia di Finanza is a military organization in our country. It covers maritime security in peacetime, but also takes on border security tasks as part of the armed forces in the event of defense. The AW169 will also be used by other Italian authorities as part of a type harmonization. This should create a variety of synergies in terms of interoperability, maintenance and training.
So far, three helicopters have been handed over to Austria, but there were four keys in the key box. Can we therefore expect more machines soon?
Yes, very soon. As you know, however, the sale to Austria is a government deal in which Italy procures the helicopters from us and sells them to Austria. Accordingly, Austria is almost like another Italian authority for us.
“Austria is almost like another
Italian authority for us.”
In addition to the aircraft, the contract also includes agreements on training and armament, right? According to the Austrian Ministry of Defense, equipment packages with machine guns, 70-millimeter missiles and missiles with end-phase laser control will be procured. These packages should be fully operational from 2028 – is that realistic?
As I said, we cannot comment on this in detail. But whatever is agreed in the government-to-government contract, we will fulfill. This also applies to the full turnkey training package agreed with Austria, with basic and advanced training, simulations …
… and also the planned development of training facilities in Austria to be able to train new pilots themselves from 2025?
Various training facilities are also part of the package. From today’s perspective, starting your own training in 2025 is entirely realistic.
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