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In the framework of a fleet modernisation and reinforcement plan aimed at meeting a long-term rescue and offshore transport growth strategy, leading emergency aerial service provider Avincis announced orders for 15 Leonardo helicopters, including 10 AW169 light intermediate and 5 AW139 intermediate twin engine aircraft. These helicopters are expected to be delivered over the 2028-2031 period, sustaining the existing customer base as well as allowing to enter new markets across Europe.
Three AW169s are planned to be redeployed in Sweden for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) purposes covering the Uppsala and Västra Götalandsregionen regions under a ten-year contract awarded to Avincis. This EMS programme confirms the market’s confidence in the outstanding operational capabilities of the helicopter type, which is able to carry out essential life-saving missions with great reliability and in complex conditions with high responsiveness, leveraging advanced technology and navigation/mission equipment, high performance and cabin versatility.
These latest orders testify the continued, growing success of Leonardo’s helicopters to cover the widest spectrum of rescue duties including EMS and land and maritime SAR. More than 800 Leonardo helicopters carry out rescue missions globally to date, many of them being AW139s and AW169s. As the EMS market continues to grow and increasingly shifts towards larger, more capable aircraft, the AW169 and AW139 are proving to be the platforms of choice for operators seeking enhanced mission performance, greater cabin space and increased operational flexibility.
With global orders nearing 400 units for all missions, the AW169’s presence grows stronger thanks to its mission flexibility and unique features among which an auxiliary power unit (APU) mode when on ground with rotors stopped, allowing for the continued operation of heating/air conditioning, radios and electrical support for medical equipment to ensure time optimisation, greater on-ground safety and sustainability. The AW139 remains the world market leader in its category, and one of the most successful helicopter programmes in the entire rotorcraft industry, with more than 1,500 units sold to over 300 operators in around 90 nations for the widest scope of roles. A unique 60+ minute run-dry capable main gear box allows for enhanced reliability and safety particularly during medium to long range operations.
About Avincis
As the largest provider of emergency aerial services in Europe with additional operations in Africa and South America Avincis’ areas of focus (avincis.com) are helicopter emergency medical services, air ambulance, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, as well as dedicated aerial transport and medevac for offshore energy. Operating from more than 190 bases across Chile, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Mozambique, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, the company oversees operations from its headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal. With a fleet of approximately 210 aircraft (helicopters ~170 and aeroplanes ~40), Avincis counts on a team of more than 2,500 talented professionals, including experienced pilots, crews, technicians and support teams to deliver its unique service. With over six decades of experience in the sector, Avincis has been instrumental in saving lives and protecting communities in some of the most challenging and remote environments on Earth.
Avincis’ fleet also includes almost 70 Leonardo helicopters, making Avincis one of the largest Leonardo civil rotorcraft technology users in Europe. The majority are AW139s that are mostly deployed for Helicopter Medical Emergency Services (HEMS), Search and Rescue (SAR) and offshore energy missions. These are complemented by AW169s and AW109s. Avincis was one of the first operators to introduce the AW169 latest generation light-intermediate type into its fleet. At the end of 2025, Avincis also became the first operator in the world to surpass 5,000 flying hours on the Leonardo AW169, with an aircraft based in Sweden.
About Leonardo
Leonardo (leonardo.com) is an international industrial group that develops multi-domain technological capabilities for global security. A key player in the major strategic programmes in Aerospace, Defence and Security, it employs over 62,000 people worldwide and operates in the Electronics, Helicopters, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space sectors. The company has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the United States, and is active in 150 countries also through subsidiaries, joint ventures and investees. Leonardo is a technological and industrial partner to Governments, Defence Administrations, Institutions and businesses. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2025 Leonardo recorded new orders of €23.8 billion, an order backlog of €46.6 billion and consolidated revenues of €19.5 billion. Included in the MIB ESG Index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
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