The Austrian Armed Forces have received the 12th Leonardo AW169 Lion helicopter, with the aircraft landing at Fiala Fernbrugg airbase in Aigen im Ennstal after flying directly from Leonardo’s factory in Italy. The delivery brings one third of Austria’s 36-helicopter order into the country and keeps the programme on track as the service expands its new utility fleet.
The first 12 aircraft delivered so far are mainly AW169B training and light transport variants. The remaining 24 will be the AW169MA multirole advanced military version, which is due to enter deliveries later in the programme. Austria plans to use the type to replace ageing Alouette III helicopters and some Bell 212 aircraft under its 2032 development plan.
The next helicopter delivery is scheduled for December 2026, with the full fleet expected by the end of 2028. The helicopters are being split mainly between Aigen im Ennstal and Langenlebarn, while maintenance remains centred in Aigen. The type is already in operational use for transport, training and disaster-relief missions, including evacuations after heavy rain and landslides.