AW149: Could this helicopter replace the Puma?

An aerospace company has started building its production line for a potential successor to the Puma helicopter.

Leonardo hopes the move will help them win the Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract.

"It is a multi-role support helicopter and we are pitching it to replace the Puma, the Puma Mark 2s," Chief Test Pilot and former Army pilot Mark Burnand told Forces News.

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"The aircraft can be armed so it can do a variety of missions, from combat search and rescue, special forces, as well as a battlefield support helicopter," he added.

The Puma helicopter is expected to be retired from service in early 2025, meaning whichever aircraft the MOD decides to replace it with will need to be in place by them.

Boeing and Airbus are also competing for the MOD's contract.