85 – that’s how many manned aircraft the Austrian Armed Forces On December 31, 2024, this number marked a historic low. The only time there were fewer aircraft was during the build-up phase in the 1950s: back then, the still young Austrian Armed Forces took over 114 aircraft within five years and reached a total of 180 aircraft by the end of 1965. Today, too, an increase is imminent – in the form of further new AW169B multi-purpose helicopters from Leonardowhich are currently being put into service.
Seventh and eighth Leonardo AW169B delivered
On January 23rd, the Austrian Armed Forces bottomed out: with the delivery of the AW169B helicopters with the serial numbers 72038 and 72039, the number of manned aircraft rose to 87 – 47 helicopters and 40 airplanes.
The two aircraft with the identifiers 5M-IG and 5M-IH are the first from the second order, which Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner signed in Langenlebarn on 21 December 2022.
It won’t stay that way for long: spotters have already sighted the AW169B with the serial numbers 72040 and 72041 and uploaded pictures to airliners.net. The aircraft are currently completing test flights under the registrations CSX82179 and CSX82182. Once they have been delivered to the armed forces, they will bear the registration numbers 5M-II and 5M-IJ.
Goal: Complete season by summer
If the test flights go according to plan, the ninth and tenth AW169Bs are expected to be delivered between March and April. Only two aircraft are then still missing, which are to be delivered to Austria by the end of the second quarter of 2025 – with a grace period until July. This would complete the first AW169 Lion squadron.
The AW169B helicopters are equipped with a variety of specialized systems. These include winches, external load hooks and special mission equipment such as rapid abseiling systems. Electro-optical and infrared-based cameras are available for aerial reconnaissance, supplemented by an operator station in the cargo hold. In addition, the aircraft are equipped with air rescue and emergency medical transport systems as well as improved ballistic protection for the crew and aircraft.
Delay with the AW169MA
The situation with the tactical version, the AW169 Military Advanced (AW169MA), is less encouraging. The first prototype with the serial number 74001 was spotted in January 2024, followed by 74002 in July 2024. In September, the serial number 74004 with the identifier CSX82174 is said to have appeared, followed by 74005 with the identifier CSX82181 in November.
However, certification by the Italian Ministry of Defense’s Directorate for Air Armament and Airworthiness (ARMAEREO) – a basic requirement for taking delivery of the aircraft – is still pending. Neither the reason for the delay nor the possible completion of the certification work are known. Austria has ordered a total of 24 AW169MAs.
Here for more army news and here for more news about Leonardo.
