Possible new H145s for RAF

Sources in the United Kingdom expect the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to announce a single source acquisition soon for six Airbus H145 helicopters. These helicopters are to be fitted with SAR equipment and will replace the Puma HC2 helicopters in use at Cyprus and Brunei.

If this materializes it is a rather unexpected move since under the delayed New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme (which was launched in March 2021), the MoD is looking for a single type to replace the Royal Air Force (RAF) Puma and Griffin fleet as well as the Army Air Corps (AAC) Bell 212 and AS365.

Due to cost cutting reasons, both the Bell 212 and Griffin helicopters have already been retired and their role has been temporary taken over by Puma HC2s. With the purchase of H145s to take over this role, the scope of the NMH programme seems at least to have been changed.

At the start of the programme, up to 44 new helicopters were to be purchased. Early 2023, this number seemed to be dropped to 25 to 35 examples. This new, lower number seems to make sense in the light of this potential purchase. The following types are on the short list for the NMH programme: Airbus H175M, Boeing MH-139A Grey Wolf, Leonardo AW149 and Lockheed-Martin (Sikorsky) S-70M Black Hawk.

Credit photo: Simon Mortimer (via jetphotos.com)