UK invites bids for New Medium Helicopter requirement

Under NMH, the UK is seeking to replace the Puma HC2 (pictured), and three other helicopter types. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has invited bids for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement to replace the Airbus Helicopters Puma HC2 and three other types.

The solicitation issued on 18 May calls for offers of up to 44 platforms for between GBP900 million and GBP1.2 billion (between USD1.1 billion and USD1.5 billion) over a seven-year contract timeframe.

“New Medium Helicopters intends to rationalise its existing multiple rotary-wing requirements into one platform type, maximising commonality in order to improve efficiency and operational flexibility. NMH will provide a common medium-lift multirole helicopter, fitted for, but not with, specialist Mission Role Equipment (MRE) and able to operate in all environments in support of defence tasks,” the MoD notification said.

Apart from the Puma HC2, the NMH requirement seeks to replace the Bell 212, Bell 412, and Dauphin helicopters from 2024. Offers are expected from AceHawk Aerospace with surplus and refurbished ML-70 Black Hawks, Airbus Helicopters with its H175M; Bell with its 525 Relentless; Leonardo with its AW149; and Lockheed Martin with its S-70M Black Hawk. Boeing has not yet confirmed its potential MH-139 Grey Wolf offering.