Austria Expands Langenlebarn Base for 36-Aircraft AW169 Fleet

Austria is expanding Langenlebarn Air Base to support its growing fleet of Leonardo AW169 Lion military helicopters, with new hangars, aprons and supporting facilities moving through procurement. The Austrian Armed Forces plan to base 24 of their 36 AW169 helicopters at Langenlebarn, making the site the main operating hub for the new fleet.

The infrastructure investment is part of Austria's wider effort to rebuild military aviation capabilities under the Bundesheer's long-term modernization program. The remaining 12 AW169 helicopters are planned for Aigen im Ennstal in Styria.

New hangars and aprons planned at Langenlebarn

The Austrian Ministry of Defense is procuring services connected with new AW169 infrastructure at Fliegerhorst Leopold Figl in Langenlebarn, Lower Austria.

One current procedure covers local construction supervision for new helicopter hangars and associated apron infrastructure. The planned contract period is 27 months, with work scheduled to begin around October 15, 2026.

Bids for the construction supervision contract are due on September 23.

A separate procurement covers external project oversight as well as project support and management services for the AW169 facilities. That contract also has a planned duration of 27 months, with bids due by September 25.

The current procedures form part of a broader construction project at Langenlebarn that includes two AW169 hangars, new apron and outdoor areas, fencing and an ammunition preparation facility.

The investment will provide permanent infrastructure for the significantly larger helicopter force Austria plans to operate from the base.

Langenlebarn will host 24 of Austria's 36 AW169 helicopters

Austria is acquiring 36 Leonardo AW169 helicopters through its cooperation with Italy, making the aircraft one of the largest elements of the Bundesheer's current aviation modernization.

The procurement initially covered 18 helicopters before Austria exercised an option for another 18 aircraft.

Under the planned basing structure, Langenlebarn will receive 24 helicopters. Another 12 will operate from Aigen im Ennstal, where the AW169 is replacing the Bundesheer's retired Sud Aviation Alouette III fleet.

Austria refers to the military aircraft as the AW169 Lion.

The new fleet replaces and supplements several aging light-helicopter capabilities. The Bundesheer is using the AW169 for tasks including personnel transport, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, disaster response and support to civilian authorities.

Austria also plans operational configurations that extend beyond the utility role of the helicopters being replaced.

According to Bundesheer specifications, the twin-engine AW169 has a maximum speed of approximately 270 kilometers per hour and a range of more than 800 kilometers. Its configuration can accommodate up to 12 people.

AW169 program reshapes Austrian military aviation

The infrastructure work at Langenlebarn illustrates the scale of Austria's transition to the AW169.

Housing two-thirds of the future fleet at a single location requires new maintenance, operational and ground-support infrastructure alongside the acquisition of the aircraft themselves.

The Bundesheer is making those investments while carrying out a broader modernization of Austrian military aviation.

Austria is also preparing to introduce four Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft to replace its Lockheed C-130K Hercules fleet. The first C-390 is expected to arrive in 2028.

The Bundesheer is simultaneously expanding and modernizing its Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk helicopter capability.

These programs form part of Aufbauplan 2032+, Austria's long-term effort to rebuild military capabilities after years of limited defense investment.

Infrastructure catches up with the expanding helicopter fleet

Austria has already begun receiving AW169 helicopters while construction and procurement for permanent facilities continue.

That sequencing makes the Langenlebarn project significant beyond the construction contracts themselves. The base must transition from existing helicopter operations to supporting 24 modern aircraft, their crews, maintenance requirements and associated equipment.

The 27-month timetable for the latest infrastructure contracts indicates that work at Langenlebarn will continue as additional AW169s enter Bundesheer service.

Once the fleet and infrastructure programs are completed, Langenlebarn will operate two-thirds of Austria's 36 AW169 helicopters and serve as the primary base for the type.

Questions about Austria's AW169 fleet

How many AW169 helicopters is Austria buying?

Austria is acquiring 36 Leonardo AW169 helicopters for the Austrian Armed Forces. The procurement originally covered 18 aircraft before Austria exercised an option for an additional 18.

Where will Austria base its AW169 helicopters?

The Bundesheer plans to station 24 AW169 helicopters at Langenlebarn Air Base in Lower Austria and 12 at Aigen im Ennstal in Styria.

What is Austria building for the AW169 at Langenlebarn?

The project includes two AW169 hangars, apron and outdoor areas and supporting infrastructure. Current procurement procedures cover construction supervision, external oversight and project-management services.

What will Austria use the AW169 for?

The Bundesheer plans to use the AW169 for military and domestic-support missions including transport, reconnaissance, medical evacuation, disaster response and support to civilian authorities.