An investment of over 4000 square meters will serve a government fleet of about 150 aircraft, strengthening local capabilities

The city of Brindisi strengthens its strategic role in the Italian industrial landscape with the inauguration of Leonardo's first helicopter maintenance base in Southern Italy. The new service station is located within the plant of the Messapic provincial capital, one of the Group's four Apulian sites, which has a presence spanning more than ninety years in the area and employs around 500 staff.

The newly built hangar covers more than 4,000 square metres and hosts up to seven maintenance areas, including a space dedicated to more complex repairs (heavy repairs). The initiative is part of a targeted development plan by Leonardo to consolidate its industrial footprint in Italy, focusing on technological innovation and the enhancement of local specialised skills.

According to Leonardo, the main objective of the new facility is to cover a maintenance requirement estimated at around 150 helicopters belonging to the Italian Armed Forces and State bodies, a fleet that is expected to grow in the coming years. In this initial phase, the Brindisi base is dedicated to first-level support and assistance for the AW-139 helicopter fleet. The company clarified, however, that activities will be progressively expanded to include the AW-169 model as well.

The inauguration ceremony, held today, Thursday, 2 October 2025 at the site in Contrada Santa Teresa, an industrial and peripheral area of the Apulian provincial capital, was attended by, among others, the managing director of Leonardo's Helicopters Division, Gian Piero Cutillo, the prefect of Brindisi Luigi Carnevale, and the mayor of Brindisi Pino Marchionna. Leonardo emphasised that the new base represents a strategic investment that combines industrial expertise with innovation and local value, guaranteeing excellent support thanks to state-of-the-art facilities and the professionalism of specialised personnel.

Cutillo expressed strong optimism regarding the sector's performance, describing it as "a particular and favorable situation". He highlighted how the helicopter market is experiencing sustained growth both in the civil and in the governmental and military segments. As proof of this positive trend, there is also an increase in flight hours. However, this intense activity and market growth place the supply chain "under particular pressure" (supply chain). The Group is working to mitigate its effects, while acknowledging that it is a "good time" for the business.

Regarding future fleet developments, the managing director outlined two imminent milestones to strengthen the product portfolio, both in the specialised helicopter segment and in that of dual-use platforms:

- Certification of the AW-09: the goal is to certify next year (2026) the AW-09, the new-generation single-engine helicopter developed by the Swiss company Kopter (acquired by Leonardo).

- AW-249 for the Army: the company is working in collaboration with the Italian Army with a view to delivering the new AW-249 helicopter scheduled for 2027. Although intended to replace the AW-129 Mangusta attack helicopter, the model is framed in the Army's programme as the New Reconnaissance and Escort Helicopter (NEES).

In summary, Leonardo is leveraging the positive market environment by strengthening its product portfolio and consolidating its logistics and maintenance support capabilities, as demonstrated by the investment in Brindisi.