Algeria has signed a contract with the Italian company Leonardo for the purchase of three naval AW159 Wildcat helicopters, with deliveries expected in 2027. The information, initially reported by FlightGlobal, reveals that the deal was signed at the end of 2022 but only became public in early 2025.
The helicopters will be used to strengthen Algeria’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities. The AW159s are expected to be deployed on Adhafer-class (C28A) corvettes, built by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), which are currently in service with the Algerian Navy.
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The Adhafer-class includes three stealth corvettes commissioned since 2015 — Adhafer, El Fateh, and Ezzadjer — with the possibility of three more units. Each ship displaces 3,000 tons, measures 120 meters in length, and is equipped with advanced weaponry, including a 76 mm main gun, C-802A anti-ship missiles, an HQ-7 air defense system, 324 mm torpedo tubes, and a helicopter hangar.
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The AW159 Wildcat is a multi-role military helicopter developed by AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) as the successor to the Super Lynx. It was designed for both maritime and land-based operations and entered service with the British Army in 2014 and the Royal Navy in 2015.
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Its capabilities include advanced electronic warfare systems, sensors for surveillance and target acquisition (ISTAR), and a suite of armaments including torpedoes, missiles, and machine guns. The model is considered a versatile platform for naval and littoral missions.
With this acquisition, Algeria becomes the third international operator of the AW159, joining the Philippines, which purchased two units in 2016 for USD 114 million, and South Korea, which acquired eight helicopters in 2013 for USD 560 million.
Additionally, the Algerian contract is expected to enable the resumption of full-scale production of the AW159 at Leonardo’s Yeovil facility in the UK — the former Westland plant — which had ceased its assembly line after delivering the last two helicopters to the Philippines in 2019.
Although previous proposals to countries like Germany and Denmark were unsuccessful, the sale to Algeria demonstrates continued interest in the AW159 as an effective solution for modern naval operations.
Source: FlightGlobal, Leonardo. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
