Yesterday the name of the new AW119KX training helicopter from the Italian company Leonardo was officially chosen.
The Ofer helicopter, intended for use at the Hatzerim flying school, will gradually replace the old Saipan helicopter (Bel-206) used by the army since the 1970s.
In September 2020, the agreement was signed which led to the purchase by the Ministry of Defense of Israel of a training package adding 5 Leonardo AW119KX helicopters and two simulators for the Air Force Flight School to the purchase of 7 units. in February 2019.
Extremely successful on the international market, the multi-role rotary wing aircraft is produced in the American factories in Philadelphia. It has registered over 320 units sold and was the development base of the TH-119, the proposal that allowed the company to win the maxi order last January to supply the US Navy with the new training helicopters also in this case. to replace the Bell 206.