B2 The Daily of Geopolitical Europe. News. Files. Reflections. Reports

News Blog Defense industry

Italy buys 16 Chinook ICH-47F helicopters from AgustaWestland

13th May 200928th October, 2022 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

(B2) The Italian army has just acquired 16 Chinook ICH-47F helicopters - manufactured by Boeing under license - from AgustaWestland (subsidiary of the Italian aeronautics group, Finmeccanica). The contract, which also covers 4 optional additional aircraft (16+4), is valued at 900 million euros according to the manufacturer and includes logistical support for five years. "The first helicopter will be delivered during 2013, the delivery of the others will be completed in 2017", said the Italian Ministry of Defense, in a press release. These helicopters will be integrated into the 1st regiment "Antares"based in Viterbo and are to replace other Chinook helicopters (CH-47C), some of which have been in service for 30 years.

A renovation effort

The Italian army is engaged in a significant effort to renovate and replace its helicopters. It has thus ordered 60 NH90 TTH helicopters from AgustaWestland. These are being delivered. And a renovation and update of the sighting systems of the AW129 multirole attack helicopters is underway.

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, had announced, today, that it has been awarded a contract for sixteen ICH-47F Chinook helicopters plus four options for the Italian Army by the General Directorate of Air Armaments (ARMAEREO). The contract value is approximately € 900 million and includes a five year logistical support service. The delivery of the first aircraft is planned for 2013 with final deliveries in 2017. The ICH-47Fs will be operated by the Italian Army Aviation 1st Regiment “Antares” based in Viterbo and will replace the 40 CH-47C Chinooks that have been in service since 1973.

AgustaWestland is currently continuing to deliver NH90 TTH helicopters to the Italian Army having started deliveries in December 2007. The service has ordered 60 NH90 TTH helicopters which will replace older models currently operated in various utility roles. AgustaWestland is also undertaking a targeting system upgrade for the Italian Army AW129 EES helicopter fleet.

(NGV)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

Comments closed.

[Interview] ASPIDES. A purely defensive operation that solves nothing. Forgotten geopolitical issues (Pascal Ausseur, FMES) April 8th
(B2) For Admiral Pascal Ausseur who heads the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies, the maritime operation launched by the Europeans in the Red Sea and in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is not entirely justified , nor at
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[News] In the Red Sea, 68 ships escorted by Aspides. First assessment after seven weeks April 8th
(B2) Eleven attacks have been repelled in the Red Sea since February 23, according to Josep Borrell. Visibly satisfied with the performance of the latest EU maritime operations. The High Representative of the EU
Olivier Jehin
[News] Eurocorps head dismissed. For violation of defense secrecy March 27, 2024
(B2) Polish General Gromadziński is no longer the head of the European Corps. He has just been dismissed from his position and his security clearance has been revoked by the Polish government. With immediate effect. Reason
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Portrait] Three new heads of CSDP missions in Georgia, Palestine and Somalia March 26, 2024
(B2) The COPS ambassadors approved this Tuesday, March 26, the appointment of three heads of mission. A French woman in Georgia In Georgia, the appointment of General Bettina Boughani is confirmed, as of
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Report] Steadfast Defender 24: the clear message of the return of major NATO maneuvers March 10, 2024
(B2 in Poland) The Allies are engaged in exercises on a scale not seen since the end of the Cold War. 90 soldiers and an entire arsenal engaged in maneuvers crossing numerous countries,
Romain Mielcarek
[Exclusive] Create a special fund dedicated to European defense? An idea to explore 23th February 2024
(B2) Between a European Peace Facility stuck by German difficulties and a tight budget at community level, a third way could emerge to support the rise of the manufacturing industry.
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Decryption] Operation EUNAVFOR Aspides officially established (v3) 8th February 2024
(B2 - exclusive) Objective, modes of action, area of operation, commands, budget, coordination, intelligence... the main elements of the new European operation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden are now known . Text explanations. Validated
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Verbatim] Military support for Ukraine. Between Paris and Berlin, like zests of nuance. kyiv as referee? 2th February 2024
(B2) At the end of the European Council, we were able to witness a detailed exchange, via press conferences, between the German Chancellor and the French President. Subliminal messages were passed
Nicolas Gros Verheyde
[Analysis] The semi-failure of the European plan to deliver heavy munitions to Ukraine 31th January 2024
(B2) The goal of delivering one million heavy munitions to Ukraine will not be achieved. It must be recognized. The Europeans have not been able to keep the commitment they made to kyiv. A setback
Nicolas Gros Verheyde