The Italian Minister of Defence, Lorenzo Guerini, signed on Friday, October 1 a Decree for the purchase of six new P.180 Avanti EVO for the Italian Armed Forces.

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Piaggio P.180 Avanti (Picture source: Piaggio Aerospace)

The Piaggio P.180 Avanti is an Italian executive transport aircraft with twin turboprop engines mounted in pusher configuration.[2] It seats up to nine people in a pressurized cabin and may be flown by one or two pilots. The P.180 has been in Italian military service since 1994, acting in the VIP/staff transport, liaison, multi-engine training, and surveillance roles.

Piaggio will deliver five of the twin turboprops in a passenger and ambulance Evo+ configuration for the air force and four in the Radio Misure (RM) configuration for flight inspection and calibration of the country’s navigation and radio systems, including radar, instrument landing systems, and VORs

For a total amount of 171 million euros, the act also finances the supply of a P.180 full flight simulator and the extension of the maintenance contract for the “Viper” engines, which are fitted also on the aircraft of the National Aerobatic Team (“Frecce Tricolori”).

“Fulfilling the Government’s commitment to supporting Piaggio Aerospace’s turnaround, this remarkable order further enhances the value of the Company, which is now close to finding a new owner”, commented Piaggio Aerospace’s Extraordinary Commissioner, Vincenzo Nicastro. “Notably, these six new aircraft bring the total order portfolio of the P.180, including private customers, to 20 units”.