In the recent Media Briefing held by Leonardo at FIDAE, company representatives confirmed to Zona Militar that the proposal for the sale of the eight AW109M light helicopters to the Argentine Navy has already been submitted to the Argentine side. Therefore, they are awaiting the green light from the government to proceed to the next stage.
Leonardo mentioned that the proposal has already been formalized, covering technical, commercial, and financing aspects. The company stated that all efforts have been made to materialize the offer, which could progress if the Argentine government gives its approval.
The potential purchase of Leonardo AW109M helicopters destined for the Naval Aviation Command will allow for the replacement of the AS-555-SN, increasing the availability of deployable rotary-wing assets, while strengthening surveillance/search and rescue capabilities over national maritime jurisdictions. The project aims for the AW109s to embark on the four oceanic patrol vessels of the OPV87/OPV90 class that the Argentine Navy has incorporated in recent years.
It is worth noting that at the end of September last year, the then Minister of Defense, Jorge Taiana, signed a letter of intent with Leonardo for the purchase of eight Leonardo AW109s. The signing of the document took place during an official visit to Italy and the company’s facilities.
As has happened on other occasions, the Letter of Intent is considered a non-binding initial step to advance negotiations between the parties to determine various aspects: from logistics and service packages to payment terms and financing, among others. As repeatedly expressed, financing will be the most relevant aspect when advancing in negotiations for the purchase of military equipment for the Argentine Armed Forces.
Although it has not come into effect, it is worth noting that the non-enacted 2024 Budget Law sent to the Chamber of Deputies of the National Congress last year mentioned in its Public Credit Operations Annex an investment of USD 110,000,000 with a 10-year amortization period for the acquisition of light helicopters for the Argentine Navy. Further commercial and technical details regarding the AW109M proposal have not yet been disclosed.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: Leonardo.
You may also like: ZM at FIDAE – ENAER presents the cockpit upgrade of the T-35 Pillan for the Air Forces of the region
