The Argentine Navy will take delivery of its first Leonardo AW109M search-and-rescue helicopter in 2027, according to Zona Militar reporting on March 18, 2026. This follows the completion of the initial contractual payment for four units, under a February agreement between Defense Minister Carlos Presti and Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Nicoletti.
The acquisition, financed by a €71,676,175.26 loan equivalent to about $86.7 million, includes aircraft, training, spare parts, tools, and a simulator. The order was reduced from eight helicopters due to budget limits, with an average cost of €17.9 million per unit covering naval systems and sustainment. Repayments are spread over time, minimizing immediate fiscal strain, as assessed by Argentine financial authorities.
These light twin-engine helicopters, with a maximum takeoff weight of 3,000 kg and powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW206C engines, will replace aging AS-555 Fennec models plagued by low availability. The AW109M supports maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and operations from offshore patrol vessels, restoring the navy’s embarked aviation capability in the South Atlantic. Its design enables shipboard compatibility, with a range of 948 km and roles including armed reconnaissance and medical evacuation.