THE ITALIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY has finally placed a much delayed L1,250 billion ($775 million) contract with Agusta for the production and support of 16 Agusta/Westland EH101s for its navy. The order covers eight anti-submarine- warfare/anti-surface vessel machines, four airborne early-warning and four utility-transport variants of the EH101. The navy has an option for another eight aircraft. The order for the EH101s was part of a funding deal which will also mean that Agusta will produce 60, rather than 45, A.129 Mangusta light-attack helicopters for the Italian army.
Source: Flight International