The Ambassador of Italy Vinicio Mati hosted today at the Residence, together with the Defence Attaché Colonel Stefano Silvestrini, the ceremony in which the Italian company Leonardo awarded the Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) a plaque of recognition for achieving 50.000 flight hours with the A109 LUHS helicopter, manufactured in Italy.
The fleet supplied by Italy consists of 20 helicopters, in service since 2006 and available in 2 models: training and multi-role purposes. The Swedish Air Force use them both for land and naval operations, nationally as well as abroad.
Distinguished representatives of the Armed Forces and the Swedish industry attended the event, among others the Deputy Commander of the Swedish Air Force General Tommy Petterson.
In his opening speech, Ambassador Vinicio Mati underlined the excellent level of collaboration reached between the Italian and the local industry, which played a significant role in achieving this important milestone. Ambassador Mati stressed moreover Italy’s commitment towards further strengthening the cooperation with the Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), in both helicopter and aviation sector.
