Leonardo to develop replacement for A129

The Italian National Armaments Directorate of the Italian Defense Ministry has given Leonardo a contract to develop a replacement for the Italian Army’s A129 gunship.

Agusta A129CBT Mangusta, Italy - Army JP7122665
By Aldo Bidini [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

Leonardo will have to come up with one prototype of the new exploration and escort helicopter (NEES) as well as three production examples.

It is envisaged that the Italian Army will buy 48 NEES to replace its A129s.