UK cuts helicopter purchases from 44 to 25-35 units under $1.3bn contract

The UK Ministry of Defence has decided to reduce the number of helicopters to be purchased under the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme. This is reported by the publication Breaking Defence.

Here's What We Know

At the end of autumn 2021, the UK decided to purchase up to 44 helicopters. Almost two years later, due to funding problems, the UK Ministry of Defence decided to reduce the order to 25-35 units. The cost of the NMH programme is estimated at £1bn ($1.3bn).

The purchase of the new helicopters will allow the UK to scrap the Bell 212, Bell 412 and AS365 Dauphins. Discussions on the terms were scheduled for the first quarter of this year, but it has been postponed until September. Lenny Brown, managing director of Airbus Helicopters UK, said.

Airbus will launch production of the H175M helicopters in Wales, where production of the A380 commercial airliner is now established, if it wins the competition. The company competes with Lockheed Martin and Leonardo UK, which offer the S-70M Black Hawk and AW149 helicopters respectively.

Lenny Brown believes that winning the competition will open the door for the H175M to other countries. In particular, the Airbus Helicopters UK managing director believes the company will be able to sell around 500 helicopters worldwide and is already receiving signals from potential buyers.

A problem for NMH may be the need to shorten production lead times, as the UK has planned to get rid of Puma helicopters in 2025. Although Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton said in the spring that decommissioning them could be delayed until 2027 or 2028.

Source: Breaking Defence