Saudi Arabia requests to purchase 11 helicopters from British Leonardo

Saudi Helicopter Company, one of the companies under the Public Investment Fund of the Kingdom, announced on Tuesday an additional order for 11 helicopters from Leonardo, during the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, which runs until July 24.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday that “11 medium twin-engine AW139 helicopters are scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2028, as part of the agreement signed during the Heli-Expo, now known as Verticon, in 2024.”

This additional order represents a key milestone within the multi-year framework agreement, which allows for the purchase of up to 130 helicopters. It also reinforces Saudi Helicopter Company’s strategy of collaborating with two leading original equipment manufacturers, alongside its disciplined approach to enhancing fleet efficiency, thereby strengthening its readiness to meet the evolving needs of the aviation sector in the Kingdom.

CEO Captain Arno Martinez stated: “We are proud to expand our long-standing partnership, which enhances our leading position and operational capabilities both within the region and beyond. Building on our current fleet of AW139 helicopters, which has made Saudi Helicopter Company one of the largest and most prominent operators of this model worldwide.”

He added that this order reflects the company’s continued implementation of its expansion plans, and directly contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by supporting the development of a strong and dynamic aviation ecosystem.