Italy decided to retire its Agusta A129 Mangusta attack helicopters, which is known as T-129 Atak after development program in Turkey. Italian Ministry of Defence has signed an agreement with Leonardo to retire the A-129s, of which Turkey strengthened the engine and indigenized the avionics, then designated as T-129. Under the contract announced on 13 January, the Italian company will manufacture a new exploration and escort helicopter (NEES) for the Italian Army. The company will initially design and develop a prototype, then deliver 48 helicopters to the service. Later on, the A-129s will be retired as of 2025.
211216-N-QI061-1222 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (December 16, 2021) An MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), assigned to Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19), sits on the flight line at Naval Station Mayport, Florida, Dec. 16, 2021. VUP-19, the Navy’s first Triton squadron, will continue to maintain and operate the aircraft off the East Coast to further develop the concept of operations and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan T. Beard/ Released)