Puma replacement programme reaches next stage with contract due in 2025
The UK's New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme has taken a step forward with three companies invited to join the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) stage, Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge has announced.
Proposals for the new medium-lift support helicopter are then to be evaluated by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), with a production contract expected to be signed in 2025.
The long-awaited NMH acquisition programme is looking for one single aircraft type to replace five different aircraft – these include the RAF Puma HC2, Army Air Corps Bell 212, RAF Bell 412 and Airbus AS365 Dauphins used by Special Operations Forces.
The MOD has published a draft plan to buy between 36 and 44 aircraft as it streamlines defence capabilities.
Once in service, it will provide the Armed Forces with a new medium-lift aircraft capable of operating in all environments in support of a broad spectrum of defence tasks, from warfighting to humanitarian efforts and operations around the world.
It was announced at the International Military Helicopter conference in London that the ITN has been released.
The process is now open for Airbus Helicopters UK, Leonardo Helicopters UK and Lockheed Martin UK to compile their bids, with the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) to evaluate their proposals.
Mr Cartlidge said: "The New Medium Helicopter will provide essential support to our military operations, and we're pleased to have reached this next important stage of the programme.
"The programme's competition includes essential criteria that are key to securing vital rotary wing Operational Independence, allowing us to respond swiftly to emerging threats in a highly contested world."
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