Firefighters: public auction for four AB412 helicopters in six lots

The Ministry of the Interior published a public auction in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic on October 14, 2026, for the sale of four AB412 helicopters from the National Fire Corps, along with components and spare parts. The notice, identified by reference TX26BIA426, appears in the 5th Special Series no. 117, in the section dedicated to real estate auctions and other public tender procedures. Offers must be received by 6:00 PM on December 15, 2026.

Six lots and starting bids

The procedure is divided into six distinct lots, four of which relate to the aircraft and two to technical supplies. The starting bids indicated in the call for tenders are as follows:

• Lot 1 — AB412EP registration VF-66 (manufacturer number s/n 25920): 732,648.78 euros
• Lot 2 — AB412EP registration VF-67 (manufacturer number s/n 25922): 769,287.45 euros
• Lot 3 — AB412EP registration VF-69 (manufacturer number s/n 25925): 963,447.47 euros
• Lot 4 — AB412EP registration VF-124 (manufacturer number s/n 25918): 850,914.41 euros
• Lot 5 — AB412 components, spare parts, and logistical reserves: 2,164,757.70 euros
• Lot 6 — A109 components and spare parts: 323,894.18 euros

The highest-value lot is therefore the fifth, with a starting bid of over 2.16 million euros, exceeding that of any single helicopter. Summing the six starting bids, the total value put up for tender is nearly 5.8 million euros.

The administration issuing the sale

The act is signed by the Ministry of the Interior through the Department of Firefighters, Public Rescue and Civil Defense and the Central Directorate for Emergency, Technical Rescue and Forest Firefighting. The indicated administrative office is at via Cavour 5, 00184 Rome, with tax code 80219290584.

The call for tenders explicitly recalls that public auctions are governed by R.D. May 23, 1924, n. 827, the general state accounting regulation that governs the sale of movable assets of the public administration. The measure is signed by manager Roberto Capaldo.

Participation methods and timelines

The conditions for competing are summarized in a few essential points:

• Deadline for submission of offers: 6:00 PM on December 15, 2026
• PEC address for submission: em.soccorsoaereo.gare@cert.vigilfuoco.it
• Full call for tenders and procedures: dedicated page of the vigilfuoco.it website, path documentiat/bandi/atti/7
• Public opening session: via videoconference at 10:00 AM on December 16, 2026

The publication in the Official Gazette on October 14, 2026, therefore opens a window of exactly two months for the preparation of offers, with the award expected by mid-December.

An opportunity for the aeronautical market

The tender primarily interests aeronautical maintenance and spare parts operators, leasing companies, and carriers employing the AB412 family, as well as entities active in the recovery of certified components. The presence of a lot dedicated to logistic reserves and another reserved for A109 parts expands the target audience beyond the mere resale of the aircraft. For the National Fire Corps, the sale represents a disposal operation of material no longer in use, with a potential economic return of nearly 5.8 million euros as a starting auction price.

Official source: Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, 5th Special Series — Public Contracts, no. 117 of October 14, 2026, public auction TX26BIA426, Ministry of the Interior — Department of Firefighters, Public Rescue and Civil Defense.