ASIM, oct 02
Leonardo Helicopters has emerged as the sole bidder for the UK’s ongoing New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement after Airbus Helicopters and Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky withdrew from the competition ahead of a 30 August deadline, both citing an inability to meet offset requirements.
Social value and localisation comprise a quarter of the MoD’s decision-making consideration for the NMH programme. In its statement, Airbus Helicopters UK highlighted challenges in the “current defence industrial strategic objectives [of the NMH programme], particularly its ambition for long-term new jobs, opportunities for the UK supply chain and sovereign capability.”
Lockheed Martin similarly said in its statement that it had been unable to “meet [the NMH programme’s] minimum requirements in today’s market conditions.”
Meanwhile, Leonardo remains involved in the Invitation To Negotiate process and has been “able to meet the MoD’s requirements, including for social value and UK industrial contribution,” said Adam Clarke, MD of Leonardo Helicopters UK.
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