Leonardo’s AW-149 military helicopter.
Leonardo Wins £1 Billion UK MoD Contract for 23 AW149 helicopters: Rome / London — March 2, 2026 — The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Leonardo a £1 billion contract to supply 23 next-generation medium helicopters under the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme.
The aircraft — the latest-generation AW149 — will be built at Leonardo’s Yeovil facility in Somerset, widely regarded as the Home of British Helicopters. The award significantly strengthens the site’s long-term role in supporting both national and export markets with advanced military rotorcraft.
Strengthening UK Armed Forces Capabilities
Under the NMH programme, the AW149 will deliver a unified medium-lift platform capable of fulfilling multiple rotary-wing roles across the UK Armed Forces. By replacing several ageing helicopter types with a single aircraft model, the MoD aims to streamline fleet management, improve operational flexibility, and enhance cost efficiency over the long term.
The AW149 is designed to operate across a wide range of mission environments — from high-intensity warfighting operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. Leonardo says the platform’s modern architecture, advanced avionics and mission systems will enable improved interoperability, supportability and growth potential in evolving operational scenarios.
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Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, welcomed the decision. “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,” he said. “Our industrial base in the UK is core to our international strategy and competitiveness, now and in the future.”
Leonardo’s Yeovil Facility at the Core of UK Rotorcraft Sovereignty
The contract reinforces Yeovil’s position as the UK’s principal military helicopter manufacturing hub. Leonardo said the programme will secure thousands of skilled jobs across the British supply chain while safeguarding sovereign defence expertise for decades.
The deal also enhances the UK’s export potential by positioning Yeovil as a production centre not only for domestic requirements but also for international customers seeking medium-weight military helicopters.
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, described the contract as opening “a new chapter” for the Yeovil site and its historic contribution to the UK Armed Forces.
“The AW149’s modern design, advanced technology and high performance will deliver outstanding capabilities allowing the operator to enter a new era in terms of mission effectiveness, interoperability, supportability and growth potential,” he said.
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Investment in Autonomous Rotorcraft
Alongside the NMH award, 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.
The programme positions the UK as a leader in uncrewed and autonomous rotorcraft technologies — a key priority within the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy. The combination of the NMH platform and continued investment in autonomous systems represents a significant commitment to strengthening Britain’s aerospace and defence industrial base.
Leonardo said the integration of autonomous technology prospects under the award would further enhance the UK’s defence capabilities while advancing innovation in next-generation aerospace systems.
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Modernising the Medium-Weight Fleet
The AW149 is already in service with international operators and is under evaluation by additional countries seeking to modernise their helicopter fleets. Designed for versatility and high performance in demanding conditions, the aircraft is positioned as a replacement for ageing medium-weight platforms worldwide.
For the UK, the NMH programme represents both a capability upgrade and an industrial investment — consolidating domestic helicopter manufacturing expertise while preparing the Armed Forces for future operational challenges.
With production set to ramp up at Yeovil, the contract marks one of the most significant recent investments in Britain’s military rotorcraft sector, reinforcing the country’s standing as a credible global player in aerospace, defence, security and space.
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