Senior Editor

Jerry Siebenmark

Piaggio Aerospace has won a nearly $221 million (€200 million) contract from the Italian Ministry of Defense for nine new P.180 Avanti Evo+ twin turboprops and the upgrade of 19 earlier Avantis. Under the order—which was outlined in April, committed to in July, and finalized on December 26—the aircraft will be delivered over the next four years. The July commitment was undertaken by the Italian government to increase the attractiveness of Piaggio to prospective purchasers.

 


“The order—just one year after the<a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2018-11-26/piaggio-declares-insolvency-seeks-restructuring"> extraordinary administration</a> started—is the result of the joint and generous effort of all parties involved: the Italian government, the armed forces, and local institutions,” extraordinary commissioner of Piaggio Aerospace Vincenzo Nicastro said. “This represents, for Piaggio Aerospace, a turning point: with the restart of aircraft production, we will also be able to gradually reintegrate workers [who are] currently [on] temporary layoffs.” He added that the restructured OEM continues to finalize new aircraft orders from the private market as well as prepare a plan to sell its assets.

 


Piaggio will deliver five of the twin turboprops in a passenger and ambulance Evo+ configuration for the air force&nbsp;and four in the Radio Misure (RM) configuration for flight inspection and calibration of the country’s navigation and radio systems, including&nbsp;radar, instrument landing systems, and VORs. The latter will be operated by 71° Gruppo at Pratica di Mare, with which they will replace a similar number of first-generation Avantis in the RM role.

 


Additionally, the same agreement calls for the defense ministry to finalize a commitment in the next two years to retrofit&nbsp;19 aircraft currently used by all four Italian armed services: the Carabinieri (military police, two), army (three), navy (three), and air force (11), pushing the total contract value to $221 million. The upgrade mainly consists of new avionics to bring the aircraft into line with new air traffic regulations.

 


The P.180 has been in Italian military service since 1994, acting in the VIP/staff transport, liaison, multi-engine training, and surveillance roles. In addition to the four armed services, the type serves with other government agencies, such as the Guardia Costeria (coast guard), Guardia di Finanza (customs force), Polizia di Stato (federal police), Corpo Forestale dello Stato (forestry service), and Corpo Nazionale Vigili del Fuoco (national fire corps). International military/government Avanti operators have included the air forces of Bulgaria and the UAE&nbsp;and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Piaggio Wins Avanti Evo+ Order for the Italian Air Force

The nine-aircraft Avanti order from the Italian air force is a major boost for the financially-troubled aircraft manufacturer.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Australian start-up is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft

AMSL Starts Untethered Flight Tests with Vertiia eVTOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

Chinese manufacturing wants to extend range with solid-state batteries

Deliveries Increase as EHang Works to Boost eVTOL Aircraft Performance

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

More In Aircraft