The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) is a British military programme to procure up to 44 medium-lift support helicopters to replace the Westland Puma HC2 and initially, the Bell 412 Griffin operated by the Royal Air Force; and the Bell 212 and Airbus AS365 Dauphin operated by the British Army.
The New Medium Helicopter programme has the objective of providing UK Joint Aviation Command with a modern medium-lift helicopter, replacing the outdated existing aircraft currently used by the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and UK Strategic Command bases in Cyprus and Brunei.
The programme aims to achieve this by:[1] On 22 March 2021, the MOD published Defence in a Competitive Age, in which it indicated that it would invest in a new medium-lift helicopter during the mid-2020s.
[6][7] In the meantime and separately from the NMH programme, the MOD published a transparency notice in November 2023 indicating its intention to acquire six Airbus H145M helicopters (to be known as the Jupiter HC2) for use in Cyprus and Brunei.
[10] A prior information notice was published by the MOD on 11 November 2021, which outlined the scope of the project and the intention to carry out early engagement with potential suppliers.
[19] However, the MOD denied it had reduced the quantity under consideration, stating "There has been no change to the advertised requirement in the New Medium Helicopter contract notice that was published in May 2022."
[21][22] Throughout 2024, defence industry sources again indicated that the expected order size would be reduced, potentially to 25-35 aircraft, with the MOD declining to comment on the exact figure.
[24] Lockheed Martin also withdrew prior to the bid deadline, explaining that "We believe that Black Hawk remains the best solution both for the UK armed forces… but have elected not to submit a response to the New Medium Helicopter [tender] as we could not meet its minimum requirements in today’s market conditions,".
[21] However, a Strategic Defence Review announced in July 2024 by the Labour government, has raised speculation that the project could face cancellation to make budget savings.
[25][24] In early December 2024, the Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry indicated that the evaluation of the bid is ongoing with the process expected to be complete in the first half of 2025.
[29] Airbus was to partner with Boeing Defence UK, Babcock, Martin-Baker and Spirit AeroSystems to form the H175m Task Force.
Partner companies forming Team AW149 UK would include Aerco, Chelton, Ford Aerospace, Helitune, LFD and RDDS Avionics.