Seen during its operational deployment to Kabul, the Puma HC2 is to be replaced in UK service from 2025. (Crown Copyright)
Four original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) confirmed to Janes in mid-December their attendance at a recent UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) industry day for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement.
Airbus, Boeing, Leonardo, and Lockheed Martin each said that they had attended the Market Interest Day on 25 November, ahead of submitting formal offers to replace the UK's Westland-Aerospatiale SA 330E Puma HC2 and three other rotorcraft types. Bell, which previously noted its interest in the requirement, had not responded to a Janes request for confirmation of attendance at the time of publication.
Both Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo Helicopters had previously briefed on their plans to offer the H175M and AW149, respectively, and both reiterated to Janes their intent to bid following the industry day. Lockheed Martin confirmed its attendance, telling Janes that it had responded to the MoD's request for information with a potential offering based on the S-70M (the company designation for the US Army's UH-60M standard) Black Hawk. Boeing confirmed its attendance, stopping short of disclosing its platform plans having previously said that it would offer its MH-139 Grey Wolf only “in alignment with the [US] Air Force and our partners at Leonardo Helicopters”. Bell had earlier noted the potential of its 525 Relentless, UH-1Y Venom, and V-22 Osprey platforms.
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