SHAH ALAM: The Italian Army on April 28 took delivery of the first of UH169D light utility helicopter built by Leonardo, the builder of the much bigger AW139 and AW149. The UH169D is derived from the AW169M, the military version of the AW169 light-intermediate twin engine rotorcraft intended for a range of operations.
The UH169D differs from the AW169 as it is equipped with landing skids instead of landing gears. It will eventually replace the A109, AB206, AB205, AB212, and AB412, helicopters in service with the Italian Army.
The Italian Army received two UH169B in 2020 for training to familiarize the pilots with the new helicopters. Apart from the first D, the Italian Army will received another 24 helicopters in the near future. In Italian Army service, the Ds will be use for utility and troop transport as well as for reconnaisance and armed escort roles.
The helicopter can carry up to 10 passengers, compared to 19 on the AW149.
The release from the Italian Army:
The helicopter fleet modernization and rationalization plan reaches a new milestone with the delivery of the first UH-169D “light utility helicopter”.
New UH-169D, the result of the collaboration between the Army and Leonardo
The Italian Army takes a further step forward as part of 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 “Tucano” Squadron Group, in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Army, General of the Army Corps Carmine Masiello, the heads of the Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness Directorate (DAAA) and representatives of the Leonardo Helicopters industry.At the delivery ceremony, Leonardo Helicopters’ Managing Director, Gian Piero Cutillo, said: “The Italian Army’s 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 draws on decades of successful partnerships and continuous exchange of information, 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 reference point 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 Staff of the Army, during the two speeches, said: “This result is the result of a very important and dynamic level of synergy, which will certainly help us in the development of further programs, indispensable like this one and already launched, as well as others that will inevitably have to be launched, to bring the Army up to the expectations that the country places in us and the complex and uncertain world around us. Forward like this, united around the common goal of giving our soldiers the best to be able to carry out their tasks, because it will be they, our soldiers, who will always be on the front line.”
Of the 25 units ordered, the first UH-169D follows the delivery of two UH-169B basic trainer helicopters, used primarily to allow Specialty crews to familiarize themselves with the characteristics of the model and facilitate its transition to the advanced, multi-role variant delivered today.
The UH-169D was developed for the Italian Army, exploiting the base of the Leonardo AW169M military helicopter, and is the result of a close collaboration between the Armed Forces, the General Secretariat of Defense – Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness Directorate and Leonardo Elicotteri S.p.A., allowing an important leap forward in technological and capacitive terms. The program will enable the progressive replacement of the AB206, AB205, AB212 and AB412 models, in order to meet the ever-changing operational requirements and thus benefit from a more efficient supply chain, based on a “single platform” approach.
The 169D will be able to carry out a wide range of operations, including utility transport, MEDEVAC and CASEVAC, improving not only the level of national security but also the effectiveness of the Italian Army internationally. The new helicopter also offers the advantage of synergies and unique strengths in the logistics, operational, technical, certification and training fields among the AW169 fleets of all government operators in Italy. This strengthens the possibility of effective and secure joint operations and represents a quantum leap in terms of national security, emergency response capabilities and overall cost-effectiveness throughout the life cycle for decades to come.
The Italian Army (@Esercito) took a step forward in the framework of its comprehensive modernization plan with the delivery of the first #UH169DLight Utility Helicopter (#LUH).
The handover was carried out during an official ceremony held at the Italian Army Aviation’s… pic.twitter.com/mHlTL6EORh
— Leonardo Helicopters (@LDO_Helicopters) April 30, 2025
— Malaysian Defence
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There is a better cheaper AW149
It is called the AW139
AW169 is designed to be bigger than AW109 but smaller than AW139. If you will complain about the AW139 underslung deficiencies, the AW169 will be worse than the AW139…
Err why pushing this article when nothing to do with us?
Not like were buying it, nor does it meet TDM requirements as its too small & not too dissimilar with their current A109 plus doesnt have underslung.
Unless its the chopper being pushed by Weststar GK for the mega lease deal…
Personally why bothered with an underslung capabilities anyways?
To carry a 105mm gun? Then again why are we bothering ourselves with a 105mm gun still anyway?
Counter insurgency capabilities isn’t exactly what most voters and purse holders wanna pay good money for.
Many uses for underslung, not just hauling arty.
Can be used to drop off payload at areas where landing is not doable. Sometimes due to urgency, choppers will hover over the ship rear platform and drop cargo on the deck then leave.
It can also used to haul oversized objects which cannot fit into the cabin such as gensets & mobile kitchen.
105mm arty & its ammo can be airported into areas where its inaccessible by towed 155mm arty, hence can be placed in more strategic areas which arent likely to be expected. Rapid deployment team ie 10PARA can also leverage it being able to setup nearer to frontline for fire support assist to advance forces.