House of Commons · Urgent Question
12 January 2026 · 23 other contributors
Opened by Adam Dance LD Yeovil
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Adam Dance raised concerns about new medium helicopter contract 2026-01-12 (1) in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm if the Government plan to go ahead with the new medium helicopter contract, reassure us that the delays do not mean funding is unavailable and commit today to protect jobs in Yeovil? The MP asks about the defence investment plan's impact on local manufacturing jobs and national security.
Question
Will the Minister please reassure us that the Government plan to go ahead with this contract, protect jobs in Yeovil, and state that the new medium helicopter programme is vital to national defence?
Minister reply
The NMH decision will be made as part of the DIP. While an answer cannot be given today, conversations continue with Leonardo to ensure they understand the importance of Yeovil’s contributions to both the constituency and wider UK defence ecosystem.
Question
Does the NMH programme contribute to social mobility for young people, and is it true that previous governments left significant portions of their equipment plans unfunded?
Minister reply
Defence is an engine for growth. The Government are investing more of the increasing defence budget in British companies. It's correct that Conservatives left huge swathes of their equipment programme unfunded.
Question
Can the Minister confirm whether there is still a military requirement for NMH, and if so, is he committed to procuring it? Can he give an update on when DIP will be published?
Minister reply
The final decision on the NMH contract will be made as part of the defence investment plan. The promise has been broken due to a delay in publishing DIP, but decisions necessary for securing the country and European security are being prioritised.
Question
Is there news on autonomous helicopter manufacturing in the UK and the jobs associated with it?
Minister reply
Opportunities in autonomy were set out clearly in the strategic defence review. A mix of crewed, uncrewed, and autonomous systems is believed to increase armed forces' lethality and ability.
Question
Can the Government stop dithering on NMH procurement and commit to a new contract today?
Minister reply
All decisions on the new medium helicopter will be made as part of the defence investment plan. Conversations continue with Leonardo and trade unions.
Question
Leonardo, an important company for Somerset and Dorset, faces delays in major contracts due to lack of certainty from the Government. Can you provide a specific timeline for publishing the DIP?
Minister reply
I understand the importance of providing certainty to Leonardo and other defence companies. We are working flat out on the DIP but I cannot give an exact date as we want it to be comprehensive.
Question
The new defence industrial strategy prioritises British firms, such as Rolls-Royce. How will this investment support neighbouring areas like Burton and Uttoxeter?
Minister reply
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a £9 billion contract for new nuclear reactors to support the SSN-AUKUS work. This Unity contract is crucial for infrastructure development and skills training, benefiting local employment opportunities.
Question
The Government’s delay in providing contracts impacts subprime companies like StandardAero at Fleetlands in Gosport. How will the publication of the DIP address these concerns?
Minister reply
Once published, the DIP will provide clarity on procurement strategies and sequence, supporting both large and small British businesses by ensuring they have full certainty that funded commitments will be honoured.
Question
Leonardo’s contract delay impacts jobs, growth, and UK's sovereign capability in military aviation. How does the Department plan to secure this future within the given timeframe?
Minister reply
We are committed to ensuring that contracts like the new medium helicopter procurement are guaranteed for pricing periods, keeping with Leonardo’s support of Yeovil College in developing apprenticeships.
Question
If the contract is not concluded successfully by March, it will jeopardize Yeovil as a helicopter centre. Does the Government accept this deadline?
Minister reply
The procurement of new medium helicopters includes periods where prices are guaranteed; we aim to make decisions timely and within bounds set by the process to avoid timing out.
Question
How can British industry have confidence in the Government’s ability to speed up defence procurement decisions, when delays persist even for simple contractor bids?
Minister reply
We are reforming defence procurement to expedite decision-making. However, a major decision on the new medium helicopter and funding must be made as part of the whole programme to ensure everyone has certainty.
Question
Are delays in the DIP due to descoping the number of AW149 airframes under the contract from 24?
Minister reply
As a former Defence Minister, you understand the challenge of an unfunded equipment programme. The decision on the new medium helicopter will be made without altering the original contract.
Question
How have repeated delays in procurement impacted taxpayers through increased maintenance costs for ageing helicopters? Have future failure demand costs been assessed?
Minister reply
We are aware of the operational risks associated with extended use of ageing helicopters. A comprehensive assessment is underway to understand and mitigate these costs.
Question
The Minister did not answer whether the defence investment plan will be published this financial year or address the critical nature of a decision before going into the next financial year. He has missed multiple deadlines and refuses to give further deadlines, does he accept that this is a choice of his Government?
Minister reply
I acknowledge the points raised but our defence budget has increased by £5 billion this year, with more funds committed for every single year ahead. I did address earlier questions and will be unable to provide timelines beyond reiterating that decisions on NMH are part of the upcoming Defence Investment Plan.
Question
Given the impact on Somerset, south-west England, and the broader defence industry, does the Minister recognise that not confirming a decision before next year puts at risk not just NMH but also future uncrewed helicopter projects? Leonardo's involvement is crucial in this context.
Minister reply
It is indeed vital to have an industrial base capable of building autonomous helicopters. We are working towards providing certainty for workers and ensuring the UK remains competitive in developing autonomous platforms, which will be detailed further in the Defence Investment Plan.
Question
Rotary assets are crucial for military logistics. Following Puma's retirement, can the Minister outline current rotary requirements and confirm if NMH remains a military requirement?
Minister reply
As part of the Defence Investment Plan, we match military needs with platforms we have or want to purchase. We aim towards greater autonomy in our platforms as per SDR objectives and will publish detailed plans soon.
Question
Are rumours true that delays in NMH are due to preference for US Black Hawks? Will the Defence Investment Plan include a medium-lift helicopter decision, yes or no?
Minister reply
We want more of our rising defence budget to go to British companies, fostering strategic autonomy and friendshoring. Full details will be published as part of the Defence Investment Plan.
Question
Despite the Minister's comments about waiting for the investment plan, is it true that Treasury constraints are behind delays? Will he emphasise supply chain security to Treasury as a key strategic defence requirement?
Minister reply
We are committed to supporting small businesses and expanding our domestic supply chain. The office for small business growth will facilitate easier procurement routes from UK SMEs starting later this month.
Question
Concerned about potential job losses in Yeovil due to lack of NMH decision, is the delay completely unrelated to access issues with SAFE, a €150 billion defence fund Leonardo was supportive of?
Minister reply
While we explored options for UK's SAFE participation, no deal could match value for taxpayers and industry. We continue collaborating closely with European allies outside SAFE.
Question
With threats from Russia and the need to maintain efficient defence procurement, can Secretary of State provide UK business with confidence that Defence Investment Plan will be announced this year?
Minister reply
Since the general election, we have signed over 1,000 contracts, mostly with UK companies. The plan will set out approaches from SDR for renewing armed forces and ensuring efficient procurement.
Question
Regarding the capacity gap left by RAF Puma's retirement at Aldergrove, what urgency is there to secure medium-lift helicopter replacements and optimise former Joint Helicopter Command Aldergrove's utilisation?
Minister reply
We will continue maintaining lift capabilities across armed forces as part of Defence Investment Plan, including crewed and uncrewed systems leading into autonomous technologies.
Question
Given the importance of confirming dates for defence contracts to avoid financial strain on SMEs dependent on MOD operations, will Minister agree to an overhaul of contractual system acknowledging their needs and starting with a timely NMH decision?
Minister reply
We acknowledge the challenges faced by defence companies in Northern Ireland. Recent orders include £1.6 billion missiles from NI businesses. We look forward to developing the Defence Growth Deal for Northern Ireland soon.
Government Response
The hon. Member for Yeovil (Adam Dance) raised an urgent question regarding delays in awarding the new medium helicopter contract, which was first announced by the previous Government in March 2021. The MOD CEO of Leonardo UK and managing director were recently spoken to about NMH exports and autonomous helicopters, stressing that Leonardo remains a strategic partner for MOD. The final decision on the NMH contract will be made through the defence investment plan, which is backed by £270 billion in defence spending over this Parliament. While it cannot provide an answer today, the Minister continues conversations with Leonardo to ensure they understand the importance of Yeovil’s contributions to both the constituency and wider UK defence ecosystem.