The US Department of Defence awarded a US$29 million contract to Leonardo on 20 April in the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework to Israel. Leonardo will supply a fleet of AW119Kx single-engine multipurpose helicopters to the Israeli government.
The order follows a previous order placed in 2019 by the Israeli Ministry of Defence as part of a ‘comprehensive training program’ which covered the supply of seven US-produced AW119Kx helicopters and a 20-year support package. In 2020, the U.S. Department of Defence awarded a contract for up to 130 AW119s to replace the ageing TH-57 Sea Ranger as the primary training helicopter for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.
The aircraft can be equipped for multiple roles, including transport, helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS), search and rescue (SAR), and utility and security operations. The helicopter is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37A engine. It has a maximum cruise speed of 243km and a maximum range of 922km.
