UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract
Leonardo will provide the UK with 23 AW149 medium-lift helicopters for the NMH programme. (Photo: Leonardo)
The £1 billion contract has secured jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil site and will provide the British forces with 23 new medium-lift helicopters.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has finally greenlit the long-awaited New Medium Helicopter contract, awarding Leonardo – the sole bidder – the £1 billion (US$1.35 million) contract for 23 medium-lift helicopters.
The AW149 is the helicopter Leonardo offered the UK MoD to replace the ageing and now retired Puma helicopters. According to the MoD, the new helicopters will also be used to work alongside uncrewed aircraft.
The order could then unlock further international orders for medium-lift helicopters, generating around £15 billion in exports for the next 10 years, the MoD has forecast.
Around 40% of work is to be
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK eyes lightweight satellite communications for UAVs]()
UK eyes lightweight satellite communications for UAVs
The UK is seeking to extend the operational reach of uncrewed aerial vehicles, reflecting growing demand for compact, energy-efficient technology to support beyond-line-of-sight operations.
-
![Loyal wingman programmes gather pace as US and European procurement plans take shape]()
Loyal wingman programmes gather pace as US and European procurement plans take shape
Northrop Grumman, Airbus and Anduril are positioning their uncrewed aerial vehicles for future collaborative combat aircraft contracts in a market that is forecast to exceed $36 billion.
-
![India’s military integration drive faces interoperability hurdles]()
India’s military integration drive faces interoperability hurdles
Senior military leaders have highlighted the need for interoperable systems, common data standards and closer cooperation between India's armed services.
-
![UK A400M Saudi deployment highlights airlifter’s role as Airbus pursues upgrades]()
UK A400M Saudi deployment highlights airlifter’s role as Airbus pursues upgrades
Airbus is developing new capabilities for its A400M transport aircraft as European countries consider future airlift requirements and the UK plans to deploy the aircraft to Saudi Arabia.
-
![The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom]()
The new generation of defence companies emerging from the US UAV boom
As the Pentagon accelerates procurement of low-cost, lethal UAVs through its Drone Dominance Program, emerging suppliers will need to demonstrate manufacturing capacity, supply chain resilience and reliability.
