The Mangusta A-129 is a multi-role attack helicopter developed by the British, the Italian company Agusta Westland. The new version is the A-129 Mangusta International, modernize the Mangusta A-129, but in a new combat settings. In 1999 the Italian Army ordered 15 new A-129 Mangusta helicopters in the configuration of new combat (CBT). The first was delivered to the Italian army on October 15, 2002.
The Italian Army had 45 A-129 Mangusta helicopters. The Italian army was to update the Agusta Westland 45 Mangusta A-129 helicopters to the new combat settings.
The helicopter can be used for armored reconnaissance and surveillance missions, escort missions, mission of fire support and air threat suppression missions. The helicopter is armed with:
Air-to-air missiles (Stinger or Mistral)
Anti-Tank Missile (TOW or hell)
12.7 mm machine gun-pod
70/81 mm rocket launcher
20 mm gun towers
Italy has used the A-129 during the UN missions in Somalia and Angola.
