NEW MEDIUM HELICOPTER

Military Capability

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £1.4bn
Published schedule: 30/04/2021 – 31/05/2037
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: James Brooks

What the project is for

The New Medium Helicopter programme intends to rationalise up to three rotary wing requirements under one aircraft-type. This approach will maximise commonality allowing improvements in efficiency and operational flexibility. The user requires a multi-role platform to operate in all environments in support of Defence tasks and across a spectrum of threats. An open systems architecture is required to allow for rapid employment of different role-fits and carry-on equipment. This will enable efficient future development to meet the demands of a changing threat environment.

Departmental delivery commentary

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the NISTA/SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 25/26-Q4 remained at Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors: 1.Although the Full Business Case has been approved by cross-government stakeholders, and the contract now awarded to Leonardo Helicopters UK in March 2026, agreement was achieved months later than planned. 2.Other causes of this assessment are resourcing (including lack of resource loaded schedules) across the core programme and delivery teams, because of the delay to approving the Full Business Case.

Schedule

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the programme's end-date at 25/26-Q4 remained the same at 30/09/2032.

Cost

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Whole Life Cost at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) increased from £1222.09M to £1574.04M. This is primarily due to the following factors. 1. Delay in approving the Full Business Case, and now reflecting a new 10-year provision, starting in Financial Year 26/27 (The Outline Business Case provision ended in 31/32). 2. There is also a longer initial support provision when compared to the Outline Business Case Whole Life Cost estimates.

Benefits

Compared to financial year 24/25-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Benefits at 25/26-Q4 (measured in £m) remained at 0. This is primarily due to the following factors. No monetised benefits.