Leonardo The Farnborough International Airshow opens with a double acceleration on the international front: on the one hand an order from about 200 million euro for supply of 11 AW139 helicopters a The Helicopter Company (Thc), the leading commercial helicopter operator in theSaudi Arabia controlled by the sovereign fund Public Investment Fund (PIF), on the other a new Agreement in Asia for 12 M-346 F “Block 20” aircraft destined for the Indonesian Air Force.
Deliveries of the AW139s are scheduled between 2027 and 2028 and will strengthen the Saudi operator's fleet for emergency medical services, VIP transport, and offshore operations, consolidating Leonardo's presence in one of the Middle East's most dynamic markets. The agreement with Indonesia, meanwhile, expands the Italian group's presence in the Indo-Pacific region and confirms the growing international interest in Leonardo's advanced training and light combat systems.
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Leonardo opens Farnborough with a €200 million deal in Saudi Arabia
The order represents a new step in the framework agreement signed by Leonardo and Thc in 2024 during Heli-Expo (now Verticon), which provides for a acquisition potential of up to 130 helicopters. The new AW139s will support THC's fleet expansion and optimization strategy, helping to strengthen its leadership as one of the world's leading operators of the model. The agreement is also part of the program Vision 2030, with which Saudi Arabia aims to develop an increasingly competitive national aviation ecosystem.
Al room British Leonardo presents a portfolio that covers the entire spectrum of defense, security and aerospace technologies: manned and unmanned aircraft, helicopters, anti-drone systems, advanced sensors, cybersecurity, space technologies and command and control systems for integrated operations.
Among the flagship programs are the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter, the sixth-generation GCAP project, the M-346 Block 20 and M-345 trainers, the AW149 multirole helicopter, the Proteus autonomous helicopter demonstrator, the collaboration with the Turkish Baykar group, and the new Collaborative Combat Aircraft solutions. On the industrial front, the group is also focusing on the Leonardo joint venture. Rheinmetall Military Vehicles and on the recent acquisition of IDV, which strengthen production capacity and offering in the land sector.
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“We are experiencing a phase of profound transformation of the international scenario, which requires an increasingly solid, innovative and timely industrial response – he declared Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo -. Strengthening production capacity, making supply chains more resilient, accelerating the development of new technologies and investing in skills are essential conditions to support the growth of the sector."
Arnaud MartinezTHC CEO, said: “We are proud to expand our long-standing partnership with Leonardo, which strengthens our leadership and operational capabilities within and beyond the region. Building on our existing fleet of AW139s, which has made THC one of the largest and most recognized operators globally, this additional order will contribute to our fleet optimization strategy while supporting our plans to expand our global presence.”
Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo's Co-Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, said: “We are delighted to move to the next phase of THC's Leonardo helicopter fleet expansion and modernization plan, launched two years ago, having recently celebrated the delivery of the operator's 40th aircraft. We look forward to supporting THC in its long-term strategy to ensure our technology delivers the high standard of service that Saudi Arabian communities expect.”
The M-346 conquers Indonesia
On the Asian front, Leonardo strengthens its presence in the advanced training and light combat aircraft sector with the signed together with PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia for supply of 12 M-346 F “Block 20” to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia.
The contract, which follows the Letter of Intent announced last February, includes not only the supply of the aircraft but also a full package logistics support, maintenance, overhaul, pilot training, and professional skills development in Indonesia. Deliveries will begin in 2030 and will contribute to the Indonesian Air Force's fleet modernization plan.
With this order, Indonesia becomes the 23rd global user of the M-346 and introduces for the first time in Asia the new "Block 20" configuration, already adopted in Europe and North America. The aircraft integrates an advanced digital cockpit, E-scan radar, Link 16 data link, electronic countermeasures systems, and new weapons systems.
The M-346 F “Block 20” represents a multi-role solution capable of combining advanced training of pilots destined for new generation fighter with operational capabilities in air-to-air and air-to-surface missions. The program remains one of Leonardo's greatest international successes, with over 170 aircraft ordered and more than 170 flight hours accumulated.
Orders pour in on the first day of the show
The opening day of the Farnborough Airshow was marked by a flurry of large-scale orders for the major global manufacturers.
The lessor Smbc Aviation Capital announced a total order for 200 aircraft, equally divided between 100 Boeing 737 and 100 Airbus of the A320neo family, confirming the strong demand for single-aisle aircraft. Also Riyadh Air, the new Saudi flag carrier, has accelerated its expansion plan: in addition to confirming the purchase of six Airbus A350-1000s, the carrier will exercise options for 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, converting 20 of them to the more capacious 787-10 version. News also from Philippine Airlines, which has signed its first Boeing order in nearly two decades, purchasing 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. Deliveries will begin in 2031.
The launch of the Farnborough Airshow thus confirms the aerospace industry's strong momentum, buoyed by the recovery in air traffic, fleet renewal, and increased investment in defense and dual-use technologies.
