UK's New Medium Helicopter programme faces further uncertainty due to potential Airbus H145 procurement
The MoD has been attempting to secure cross-government approval for commencement of the next stage of NMH procurement. (Photo: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK MoD’s decision to potentially purchase six H145 helicopters for specific operational requirements in Brunei and Cyprus has sparked uncertainty about the much anticipated New Medium Helicopter programme.
The UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) aspirations have confronted another layer of uncertainty after the UK MoD announced the potential procurement of six Airbus H145 medium-sized helicopters, sparking doubts about the planned replacement strategy for the Puma fleet.
Despite assurances from the MoD reaffirming its commitment to the competition, discrepancies in projected numbers and undefined acquisition targets pose challenges, potentially impacting the timeline for introducing new rotorcraft by 2025.
On 13 November, the UK government published a transparency notice, saying that six Airbus Helicopters H145s (known as Jupiter HC2 in UK service) is to be acquired for an estimated £140
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