Airbus shuns Chinese components for H175 with UK military programme in mind
The first H175 airframe with 100% European components. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters UK)
Latest H175 airframe includes exclusively European components.
Airbus Helicopters UK reports progress on construction of its first H175 airframe with components ‘built fully in Europe’, a company spokesperson noted on 14 June.
The airframe could be the first to be delivered (as the H175M) to the MoD under the UK New Medium Helicopter programme, if it is selected to replace 23 Puma HC2s and three other rotary-wing types in the mid-2020s.
The latest airframe ‘has been produced entirely free of any elements sourced from China as the result of a project that has been underway for the past five years, capitalising on European aerostructures capability’, the spokesperson added.
Colin James, MD of Airbus Helicopters UK, said: ‘We have built the first airframe using a supply base completely compliant with Western military requirements and we have identified multiple supplier sources who can provide the last two components of the complete helicopter which need to be replaced.’
He added that the H175M would be ‘fully capable of fulfilling the UK's NMH needs and of becoming a sustainable UK export product with the potential to resurrect the capacity and capability of the country's helicopter industry’.
A total of 26 civilian H175 helicopters are already in daily operations over the North Sea.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK E-7 Wedgetail delay down to a “technology issue”, as MoD grapples with slipping timelines]()
UK E-7 Wedgetail delay down to a “technology issue”, as MoD grapples with slipping timelines
The first of three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, originally ordered in 2019, is now expected to be delivered to the RAF this year after multiple “difficulties”.
-
![Forecast $21.9 billion light attack and trainer opportunities up for grabs as Leonardo lines up M-346]()
Forecast $21.9 billion light attack and trainer opportunities up for grabs as Leonardo lines up M-346
The M-346 stands as a potential contender for various countries facing impending capability gaps due to ageing trainer aircraft, while it could also be selected as a cost-effective light fighter aircraft.
-
![US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters]()
US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters
The USAF published RFIs for enhancing its C3 capabilities after losing, in Operation Epic Fury, four aircraft in non-confrontational, unclear situations that could have been related to command, control and communication failures.
-
![European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones]()
European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones
European defence firms including Airbus, Helsing, General Atomics and Anduril are accelerating development and testing of collaborative combat aircraft to meet Germany’s loyal wingman requirement, targeting operational deployment by the end of the decade.
-
![Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026]()
Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026
The two uncrewed fighter aircraft will be made in conjunction with Baykar, which joined forces with Leonardo under LBA Systems in June 2025 to develop and produce uncrewed aerial systems for the international market.
-
![UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition]()
UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
