Leonardo has secured a £1bn contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to deliver 23 next-generation AW149 medium helicopters, marking a major boost for the company’s Yeovil site and the UK’s defence industrial base.
Under the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, the aircraft will be built and delivered from Leonardo’s Yeovil facility, widely known as the Home of British Helicopters, reinforcing its role as a national centre for advanced military rotorcraft production.
The award cements Leonardo’s long-term footprint in the UK and secures thousands of skilled jobs across the domestic supply chain, while safeguarding sovereign defence expertise for decades to come.
Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, welcomed the decision, describing it as a significant vote of confidence in the company’s UK operations.
We welcome the UK government’s decision to award the NMH contract to supply advanced medium lift helicopters to the UK Armed Forces, as well as the continued investments in our autonomous technology.
Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo
Cingolani stressed that the programme would deliver broad industrial and strategic benefits for the country.
“Our industrial base in the UK is core to our international strategy and competitiveness, now and in the future,” he said. “This new programme will translate into significant benefits for the country; preserving and expanding defence and security capabilities, high quality industrial and technology expertise, professional skills and export opportunities.”
He added that the contract would help ensure the UK “remains a credible global player by preparing for future high-tech endeavours in aerospace, defence, security and space.”
Yeovil at the centre of UK rotorcraft capability
The contract positions Leonardo’s Yeovil site at the heart of the UK’s future rotary-wing strategy, with significant potential to serve both national and export markets through the AW149 and other platforms.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, said the award opened “a new chapter” for Yeovil and its historic contribution to the UK Armed Forces.
He highlighted the AW149’s modern design, advanced technology and high performance, stating that the platform would deliver enhanced mission effectiveness, interoperability, supportability and growth potential to meet evolving operational demands.
Cutillo added that the inclusion of autonomous technology prospects within the award would further strengthen the UK’s defence and industrial capabilities, with work expected to begin shortly.
Platform designed for multi-role flexibility
The AW149 is designed to operate in all environments, supporting missions ranging from warfighting to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Under the NMH programme, the aircraft will fulfil multiple rotary-wing requirements using a single platform. By replacing several ageing helicopter types in the medium-weight category, the AW149 is intended to streamline the Armed Forces’ fleet, improving efficiency and operational flexibility.
Already in service with international operators and under evaluation by other countries, the platform is positioned as a modern solution for defence helicopter fleet renewal.
Investment in autonomous capability
Alongside the crewed helicopter contract, the MoD confirmed further investment in Proteus, the UK’s first autonomous rotary-wing uncrewed air system.
Developed in collaboration with the Royal Navy, Proteus completed its first flight earlier this year. Together, the NMH and Proteus programmes represent a significant investment in the UK’s defence industrial base and align with the ambitions of the Defence Industrial Strategy to enhance national capability in both crewed and uncrewed systems.
For Leonardo, the twin programmes underline its ambition to position the UK not only as a centre for helicopter manufacturing, but also as a leader in advanced and autonomous rotorcraft technologies.
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