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UK Awards £1B NMH Contract to Leonardo

March 2, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

The UK awarded Leonardo a £1 billion NMH contract for 23 AW149 helicopters.
The contract secures production at Leonardo's Yeovil facility.
The AW149 can carry 16 troops and operate in various roles.
The deal may boost UK exports and streamline military capabilities.

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Strategic Implications

This award may signal the UK's commitment to maintaining a domestic helicopter production capability, which could have significant implications for the country's defense industry. The selection of the AW149 suggests a focus on multirole rotorcraft, which could influence future procurement decisions and may lead to increased exports for Leonardo.

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What Happened

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.

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