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In focus: UK New Medium Helicopter programme down to one bidder

3rd September 2024 - 19:57 GMT | by Tony Fyler

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The Airbus H175, formerly a contender to become the UK’s New Medium Helicopter. (Photo: Airbus/Lloyd Horgan)

The end of the long procurement process could be in sight as both Airbus and Sikorsky pull out over bid criteria.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence has been left with only one option for its New Medium Helicopter programme, after defence giants Airbus and Sikorsky pulled out of contention just before the deadline for the submission of bids.

Leonardo remains as last contractor standing in the race to deliver the New Medium Helicopter, the UK’s new go-to for the majority of its defence helicopter action.

Leonardo had put its AW149 design up against Sikorsky’s Black Hawk and Airbus’ H175M.

While the AW149 has been used with some success in countries such as Poland and Egypt, the pulling out of the

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Author

Tony Fyler

Tony Fyler is the Naval Reporter at Shephard.

He has experience in business and …

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