Questions Arise Over UK’s New Helicopter Programme Amid Puma Support Agreement

UK Ministry of Defence Extends Contract with Airbus Helicopters UK for Puma Mk2 AC

In a move aimed at ensuring the continued operational readiness of its Puma Mk2 AC helicopters, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has recently announced a contract extension with Airbus Helicopters UK. Valued at £320 million ($400 million), this contract will span up to three years and encompass maintenance and support services for these vital military assets.

The decision to extend the contract holds significant implications, particularly for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) program, which seeks to replace the aging Puma fleet. By securing ongoing support for the Puma Mk2 AC, the UK MoD aims to maintain the reliability of these helicopters in its service.

This contract extension, categorized under “Repair and maintenance services of military aircraft, missiles and spacecrafts,” had a submission deadline of September 20, 2023. It represents an extension of support for an additional three years, starting from April 1, 2025, and concluding on March 31, 2028.

One of the key questions arising from this extension is how it will impact the future trajectory of the NMH program. Will the extension affect the MoD’s timeline and objectives for transitioning to a new helicopter platform? The NMH program, as outlined in GlobalData’s “UK Defence Market 2022-2027” report, involves the acquisition of transport and utility helicopters with a planned deal worth $1.3 billion. However, the specifics of this agreement remain undisclosed and yet to be awarded.

Defence analyst James Marques highlighted the complexity of the decision facing the UK in his GlobalData Analyst Briefing, titled “From four to one: the UK must choose carefully for its Future Medium Helicopter.” He emphasized that the choice goes beyond assessing capability and involves considering how the decision can benefit the British economy through domestic industry and manufacturing involvement.

It is worth noting that the UK MoD is planning to keep the new medium helicopter in service until the mid-2040s. This underscores the significance of the decision and the reason behind extending the Puma HC2’s support to mitigate expected delays in selecting a supplier for the NMH program. Previously, it was reported that the Puma was expected to retire by 2025.

Airbus Helicopters UK has reaffirmed that licenses for Puma Mk2 support will not be granted outside the Airbus Helicopters Group, solidifying its position as the primary provider of support for these helicopters.

In response to inquiries about the contract extension’s impact on the NMH program, the UK MoD assured that the Puma agreement would not disrupt plans to acquire a new medium rotary platform for the UK military. The second phase of the NMH competition is set to proceed as scheduled later this year.

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