The armed forces are massively expanding their helicopter fleet and, after an initial purchase of 18 AW169 helicopters from the Italian manufacturer Leonardo, have now opted for another 18 helicopters of the same type. That should cost the republic another 300 million euros – but it should not stop there.
Klaudia Tanner strikes again: According to information from “Krone”, there are currently negotiators from the Ministry of Defense in Italy to finalize the purchase of another 18 AW169 multipurpose helicopters from Leonardo. The deal would be worth an additional 300 million euros, Austria would then have 36 of the modern 4.6-tonne helicopters in its inventory. The first of these should land in Langenlebarn this year. The BMLV did not want to make an official statement.
Purchase before the end of the year
The timing of the surprising increase in helicopters was not chosen by chance: Leonardo still gave a “price guarantee” on the 18 additional helicopters until the end of the year, but given the inflation, the Republic of Austria wanted to quickly hit the old price. However, the plan to also equip the Ministry of the Interior with four AW169s would have failed.
More pieces, but fewer different types
Behind this lies a long-term plan by the ministry to reduce the current helicopter fleet to just two types: the heavy “Black Hawk” and the medium-weight AW169. The Alouette III will be replaced in the short term, the AB212 and the OH58 in the medium term. Fewer different types of helicopters means less effort in terms of maintenance and training, the buyer calculates. However, this would also mean new purchases for the “Black Hawk” and possibly further purchases in Italy.
Huge investment
In September 2020, it was announced that Defense Secretary Klaudia Tanner had made what was then the most expensive military purchase in the republic since the ominous purchase of Eurofighter: a first wave of AW169 helicopters in the B and M variants was ordered for about 300 million euros . Competitors Airbus (Germany) and Bell (USA) are empty-handed.
Of the first 18 helicopters already ordered, twelve will be used purely for operational purposes and six will also be used for training. This had already led to criticism, as very heavy, large and expensive helicopters with high operational costs will be used for training here in the future.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
