As part of Italy’s rotor wing modernization program for the army, Leonardo has delivered the first set of AW249 Fenice (Phoenix) assault helicopters to the nation. The project, which was unveiled in 2017, will manufacture up to 48 aircraft to take the place of the service’s Agusta A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) helicopters, which have been in operation since the 1990s. The first group of 17 platforms will be delivered by Leonardo beginning in 2027.
