According to a statement, the contract, worth 304 million euros, was signed as part of the amendment to the Government-to-Government Italy-Austria agreement last December through which Austria exercises options to acquire these additional helicopters.

The AW169M LUHs will be able to perform a wide range of missions in support of Austrian defense and national community needs such as troop transport, combat, civil defense, major emergency response, firefighting, mountain rescue, and medical rescue, the note points out.

(Giancarlo Navach, editing Stefano Bernabei)