The Italian Government has started the approval process for an additional €1.22 billion ($1.41 billion) spend on a further 29 AW249 attack helicopters, being developed to replace the A-129 Mangusta for the Italian Army Aviation, with a fleet of 48 AW249s.

This current spend includes the upgrade to the 19 already contracted in previous phases to take all the aircraft to Full Operational Capability certification, a ten year logistic support contract and the supply of a training program that includes simulators and teaching aids.

This current third phase, to start in 2026, builds on two previous phases of the program when three pre-production aircraft were contracted in 2017, to be delivered in the Initial Operational Capability configuration, plus in 2021 a further four more were added to the order, followed by another 12 aircraft in 2024.

The AW249 has already undergone medium-altitude and hot-weather trials in Italy, plus hot weather testing in Spain. Completion of the total fleet is scheduled for 2032.

The AW249 is designated AH-249A NEES (Nuovo Elicottero da Esplorazione e Scorta – New Exploration and Escort Helicopter) and known as “Fenice”, Italian for “Phoenix”.