Aramco Overseas Company, the European subsidiary of oil giant Saudi Aramco, has awarded the contract to renew its helicopter fleet to Italian aerospace and security firm Leonardo and Milestone Aviation Group, a division of US-based GE Capital Aviation Services.

The contract entails the supply of 17 Leonardo AW139 helicopters and an option for four additional helicopters, Leonardo said in a statement.

The aircraft are expected to be delivered over a three-year period starting this year.

The 21 new aircraft will perform offshore transport missions in Saudi Arabia. They are understood to have oil and gas as well as search and rescue configurations.

The deal brings to 100 the total number of civilian Leonardo helicopters owned or leased by Milestone.

MEED understands Milestone initially leased three new AW139 aircraft to Aramco in 2016.

Aramco’s active fleet is understood to include 14 AW139 intermediate twin engines, acquired in 2009, and seven AW109 light twins, acquired in 2006.