The Italian Army takes a further step forward in its global modernization plan with the new UH-169D LUH (Light Utility Helicopter). The delivery took place during a ceremony held in Viterbo at the hangar of the 28th squadron group "Tucano", in the presence of the Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello, the heads of the Directorate of Air Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) and representatives of the Leonardo Elicotteri industry.
During the delivery ceremony, the CEO of Leonardo Helicopters, Gian Piero Cutillo, declared: "The Italian Army LUH certainly represents the beginning of a new era in terms of capabilities, technical support, mission flexibility and interoperability in the light helicopter segment. This new program builds on decades of successful partnership and continuous information exchange, aimed at fully understanding the changing operational needs and addressing them through the possibilities offered by new technologies, as modern scenarios also require a true multi-domain approach. In recent years, the LUH has also become the point of reference for new export initiatives, further demonstrating the synergies between our company and the Italian Army. We are committed to supporting the operator to maximize the benefits of these new helicopters."
The Chief of Army Staff, during his speech, declared: "This result is the fruit of a very important and dynamic level of synergy, which will certainly help us in the development of further programs, as essential as this one and already launched, as well as others that will inevitably have to be started, to bring the Army up to the expectations that the country places in us and of the complex and uncertain world that surrounds us. Let's move forward, united around the common goal of giving our soldiers the best to be able to carry out their tasks, because they, our soldiers, will always be on the front lines."
Of 25 units ordered, the first UH-169D follows the delivery of two UH-169B basic trainer helicopters, primarily used to familiarize specialty crews with the model's characteristics and ease the transition to the advanced multi-role variant, delivered today.
The UH-169D was developed for the Italian Army based on the Leonardo AW169M military helicopter and is the result of close collaboration between the Armed Forces, the General Secretariat of Defence - Directorate of Armaments and Airworthiness and Leonardo Elicotteri SpA, allowing a significant leap forward in terms of technology and capabilities. The program will allow the progressive replacement of the AB206, AB205, AB212 and AB412 models, in order to meet the ever-changing operational requirements and benefit from a more efficient supply chain, based on a "single platform" approach.
The 169D will be capable of performing a wide range of operations, including utility transport, MEDEVAC and CASEVAC, enhancing not only the level of national security but also the effectiveness of the Italian Army internationally. The new helicopter also offers the benefit of unique synergies and strengths in logistics, operations, technical, certification and training between the AW169 fleets of all government operators in Italy. This strengthens the ability to conduct effective and safe joint operations and represents a quantum leap in terms of national security, emergency response capability and overall cost-effectiveness throughout the lifecycle for decades to come.
