Leonardo Secures Major Helicopter Deal Amid Production Line Uncertainty

The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Leonardo a £1 billion contract for the production of 23 AW149 multirole rotorcraft, providing clarity for the manufacturer’s production line in Yeovil, England. The new helicopters will operate alongside drones to support defense operations globally and are desperately needed to plug a capability gap left by the retirement of the Puma fleet. The deal is expected to boost the UK Armed Forces’ battlefield kit and make Britain Leonardo’s global centre for military helicopter production and exports. This development was reported by Breaking Defense.