UK finalises Airbus H145 helicopter order while NMH programme timeline continues to slip

The UK has signed a £122 million (US$151.9 million) contract for six Airbus H145 (known as Jupiter HC2 in UK service) medium helicopters to fulfil missions in Brunei and Cyprus. As Shephard previously reported, the UK government published a notice referencing the potential deal last November – for £140 million then. The UK already operates the H145 in the trainer configuration (Jupiter HC1).

“The additional helicopters will be used to support UK troops conducting jungle training in Brunei, including essential medical evacuation,” said the UK MoD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DS&E). “The aircraft based in the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) [in] Cyprus will support UK training and military exercises (including joint UK/Republic of Cyprus activities) along with emergency response and aerial firefighting duties.”

In both locations, the new medium helicopters will replace the Puma HC2s, which in Cyprus have been used as an interim measure following the retirement of the Bell 412s. In Brunei, the Pumas have filled gaps left by the withdrawn Bell 212s. The half-a-dozen rotorcraft now on order were expected to take over duties during 2026.

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Meanwhile, at the end of February, following several months of delay, the second stage of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme was announced by UK Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge. The purchase of the extra H145s, however, has raised questions about the prospect of the already troubled, delayed and likely cut NMH project, with the UK set to replace the Puma helicopters with whatever it will choose to buy through the competition.

The New Medium Helicopter project was set out to procure a modern medium-lift support helicopter capable of fulfilling up to five rotary-wing requirements through a single aircraft type. (Photo: Lockheed Martin UK) 

An upper limit of 44 aircraft had initially been set in November 2021 for the NMH, but Airbus Helicopters said in the middle of July that the UK intended to cap that number at 35.

When questioned about the outlook of the Puma replacement project in light of the H145 procurement several times, the MoD said that there was “no change to the scope of the advertised New Medium Helicopter Contract Notice and Defence remains committed to this programme”. Shephard, however, was told by sources wishing to remain anonymous that the number was unlikely to be higher than 35.

The NMH project was set out to procure a modern medium-lift support helicopter capable of fulfilling up to five rotary-wing requirements through a single aircraft type. Airbus pitched its H175, Leonardo offered its AW149, while Lockheed Martin entered the competition with its S-70 Black Hawk.

The initially announced schedule for introducing the new rotorcraft into service was 2025, but this timeline appeared highly improbable considering recent developments. The manufacturer's proposals will be evaluated through 2025 when, subject to government approvals, a contract award is anticipated.

Based on the known contract award date and responses from the three competitors regarding delivery timelines, the UK’s Armed Forces will not receive helicopters before 2027 at the earliest – and that would be an optimistic estimate.

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