Algeria signed a contract with Leonardo for the delivery of three AW159 Wildcat helicopters, with deliveries expected to conclude by 2027. These helicopters are likely set to be deployed aboard Algeria’s new Adhafer-class corvettes, built in China by CSSC, to enhance the Algerian Navy’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW). According to earlier information published in 2013, the AW159s are expected to be equipped with French Compact FLASH dipping sonar, MU90 lightweight torpedoes, already on order, and Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), allowing them to engage both underwater and light surface targets.
The contract with Algeria has led Leonardo Helicopters to restart production of the AW159, which had previously been suspended following the completion of earlier export contracts. Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters, confirmed that Algeria is currently the only active customer for the Wildcat.
The AW159 Wildcat is a military helicopter developed by AgustaWestland, now part of Leonardo, as a successor to the Westland Super Lynx. Initially known as the Future Lynx, the programme was launched to replace the Royal Navy’s and British Army’s Lynx helicopters. A formal assessment phase began in 2002, and in 2006, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded AgustaWestland a contract for 70 helicopters, later reduced to 62. The Wildcat first flew in November 2009 and entered service with the British Army in 2014 and the Royal Navy in 2015. Export customers include the South Korean Navy, which received eight AW159s for maritime operations under the MOH Batch 1 programme, and the Philippine Navy, which acquired two helicopters for use with its Jose Rizal-class frigates. Besides Algeria, no new export customers have been confirmed since the order by the Philippines, and earlier bids in countries such as Denmark and Germany were unsuccessful.