The President of Angola, João Lourenço, has approved a €132.8 million financing agreement to procure 14 Leonardo light utility helicopters for the esteemed Ministry of National Defence. The financial package facilitates the acquisition of 12 AW119M and 2 AW119Kx platforms from the Italian aerospace corporation, Leonardo S.p.A. The funding will be provided by the Italian banking consortium, Intesa Sanpaolo S.P.A., and is secured by comprehensive risk coverage from Italy’s export credit agency (SACE), as reported by DefenceWeb.
The contract covers more than just the delivery of the aircraft. The finalized arrangement includes specialized training services, technical documentation, technical assistance, and a long-term supply of spare parts to ensure operational sustainability. Under the presidential directive, the Minister of Finance of Angola is duly authorized to execute the financing agreement and associated documentation. This procurement is complemented by a separate, concurrent decree issued in April 2026, which approved a €54.6 million credit line from the Bank of China and was supported by the Chinese export credit agency (Sinosure), to establish a major infrastructure and education financing package.
This acquisition enhances Leonardo’s presence in Angola and aligns with the broader Luanda’s strategic multi-year initiative to standardize and modernize its state helicopter fleet across different ministries. The AW119M is the military variant of the commercial AW119Kx Koala, a single-engine helicopter weighing approximately 3 tons, capable of accommodating up to 8 personnel, including the crew. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37A turboshaft engine generating 1,002 horsepower, the aircraft maintains a cruising speed exceeding 240 km/h, with an operational endurance of over four hours and a ceiling of 15,000 feet.
OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES AND FLEET INTEGRATION
The helicopters feature fixed landing skids, instead of retractable wheels, facilitating maintenance and allowing the integration of emergency flotation devices for over-water missions. For logistical support, the aircraft is equipped with an under-fuselage cargo hook rated for external loads up to 1,400 kg, supporting a maximum takeoff weight of 2,850 kg. Search and rescue capabilities include an integrated side-door winch with a 204 kg capacity, designed to hoist two individuals simultaneously.
The Angolan Air Force intends to deploy the 12 AW119M aircraft across a variety of mission profiles, including pilot training, troop transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, command and control, and light armed escort roles. The 2 AW119Kx units incorporated in the contract will likely serve in utility transport or staff liaison functions.
By adopting the AW119 family, the military benefits from an established domestic logistical footprint. The National Police of Angola (Policia Nacional de Angola) already operates the AW119Kx within its aerial wing, accepting its two latest units in December 2025 during an official handover ceremony in Italy. This delivery was preceded by a separate transfer on 22 October 2025 involving an AW119Kx and a larger, twin-engine AW139. These police aircraft belong to a significant 19-unit modernization package signed in December 2021 by the Angolan Ministry of the Interior, by integrating AW119Kx and AW139 airframes. The police utilize these platforms for aerial surveillance, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance. For military operations, the Angolan Air Force has been operating the twin-engine AW139 since 2016, when Leonardo delivered its first two units.
Transitioning to the AW119 line allows the air force to phase out older, more expensive legacy systems for primary training and utility missions. The single-engine configuration offers reduced operational costs and lower maintenance requirements compared to twin-engine alternatives. This decision presents certain operational trade-offs, as single-engine aircraft lack the powertrain redundancy necessary for extended maritime patrols or high-risk combat missions.
The arrangement ensures initial maintenance and technician training are managed by the Italian aerospace group, addressing previous readiness gaps within the Southern African air forces. The next significant milestone will be the commencement of pilot and technician training for Angola at Leonardo’s facilities in Italy.