On July 23rd, the Italian Ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, visited the Kopter Group AG facility in Mollis.
This advanced industrial site hosts the development and testing of Leonardo’s next-generation single-engine helicopter, the AW09, are taking place.
Welcomed by Marco Viola, CEO of the Swiss company controlled by Leonardo, the Ambassador was able to appreciate the technological, industrial and professional capabilities of this important industrial entity. Over the past five years, since its acquisition, Leonardo’s helicopter business has been able to embark on a path of further strengthening its already solid competitiveness in the international helicopter sector.
The AW09 represents the first all-new helicopter in its category to enter the international market in over 50 years. It stands out for its high level of digitalization, and strong attention to sustainability. To date, more than 130 preliminary sales contracts have been signed with customers worldwide, underscoring the model’s market potential.
The Ambassador witnessed once more the value of industrial synergies between Italy and Switzerland through Leonardo’s activities in a key industrial sector such as helicopters, supporting global mobility and essential services such as search and rescue, firefighting, aerial operations, and security.