Leonardo’s AW169 Helicopter.
Avinics orders 15 Leonardo AW169, AW139 Helicopters: Imagine you are in a remote, snowy region of Sweden, or out on a turbulent sea in Europe, and a medical emergency strikes. Every second counts. In these critical moments, the roaring sound of an approaching rescue helicopter is the ultimate sign of hope.
To make sure that hope arrives faster and more reliably than ever, Avincis, Europe’s leading emergency aerial service provider, has just made a massive move. The company announced a major order for 15 brand-new, high-tech helicopters from the global aerospace giant Leonardo.
This isn’t just a corporate transaction; it is a major upgrade for emergency response across Europe. Spanning deliveries from 2028 to 2031, this reinforcement plan is designed to save lives, modernize existing rescue fleets, and help Avincis expand its vital services into brand-new European markets.
Meet the Lifesavers: The AW169 and AW139
The order is split into two types of incredibly sophisticated twin-engine aircraft: 10 light-intermediate AW169s and 5 intermediate AW139s.
If you are wondering what makes these machines so special, it comes down to versatility, space, and cutting-edge technology. The modern emergency medical market is shifting toward larger, more capable aircraft. Doctors and rescue crews need room to work while in mid-air, and these two models are the gold standard for the job.
The AW169 is a technological marvel. It features a unique “auxiliary power unit” (APU) mode. This means that even when the helicopter is on the ground with its rotors completely stopped, the cabin can keep its heating, air conditioning, radios, and electrical medical equipment running perfectly. This keeps patients comfortable, ensures medical devices stay powered up, and makes the ground environment much safer and more sustainable for medical staff.
Meanwhile, the AW139 is well known in the aviation world, with more than 1,500 units sold globally. One of its most impressive safety features is a “run-dry” capable main gear box. If something goes wrong and oil is lost, the helicopter can still fly safely for over 60 minutes. This gives pilots plenty of time to reach safety, which is a massive reassurance during long-range operations over freezing seas or rugged mountains.
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First Stop: Strengthening Sweden’s Skies
While these 15 helicopters will impact various regions, three of the new AW169s already have a specific, vital mission lined up. They are headed straight to Sweden to cover the Uppsala and Västra Götalandsregionen regions under a long-term, ten-year Emergency Medical Service (EMS) contract.
Avincis and Sweden already have a historic partnership. In fact, by the end of 2025, an Avincis crew in Sweden became the first in the entire world to cross the 5,000-flying-hours milestone on an AW169. Sending these new, advanced models back to Sweden proves just how much trust rescue teams place in this specific aircraft to handle complex missions in unpredictable Nordic weather.
The Powerhouses Behind the Deal
To understand the scale of this deal, it helps to look at the two giants involved.
Avincis is a household name in emergency services. Operating from more than 190 bases across countries like Italy, Spain, Norway, Finland, and Portugal (where their Lisbon headquarters is located), they manage a fleet of about 210 aircraft. With 60 years of experience and a team of 2,500 dedicated pilots, technicians, and crew members, they handle everything from air ambulances and mountain search-and-rescue to aerial firefighting. They already fly nearly 70 Leonardo helicopters, making this new order a natural evolution of a trusted partnership.
Leonardo, the creator of these aircraft, is an international industrial group focused on global security and aerospace. With over 62,000 employees worldwide, Leonardo is an economic powerhouse, bringing in billions in revenue while constructing the technology that keeps nations safe. To date, more than 800 of their helicopters are actively saving lives in rescue missions around the globe.
As the emergency medical market continues to grow, this new 15-aircraft deal ensures that when European citizens face their darkest hours, the ultimate safety net will be flying overhead, ready to answer the call.
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