← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
New Medium Helicopter Programme
11 February 2026
Lead MP
Adam Dance
Yeovil
Lib Dem
Responding Minister
Luke Pollard
Tags
DefenceEconomy
Word Count: 4976
Other Contributors: 3
At a Glance
Adam Dance raised concerns about new medium helicopter programme in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Minister should clarify how high the new medium helicopter is on the priority list compared to other programmes. He should also explain why the tender proceeded despite knowing Leonardo was the only bidder, address rumours about delays in the DIP, and detail conversations with No. 10 and the Treasury regarding funding.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The UK has a capability gap following the retirement of the Puma helicopter, necessitating a new medium-lift helicopter for armed forces operations. Adam Dance highlighted that not awarding the £1 billion contract to Leonardo could put over 3,000 jobs and 12,000 indirect jobs at risk in Yeovil, along with significant economic impacts including a loss of £320 million to local GDP and investment of £1.2 million for training in the defence sector.
Edward Morello
Lib Dem
West Dorset
Thanks Jim Shannon, notes that Leonardo site workers who live in West Dorset provide training and apprentice opportunities for thousands of his constituents. Emphasises the urgent need to speed up procurement due to uncertainty undermining national security. Discussed the need to future-proof defence procurement decisions, highlighting issues with changing specifications leading to delays like in the Ajax programme. He also mentioned speeding up procurement processes for both smart and dumb tech.
Ian Roome
Lib Dem
North Devon
Suggests that the new Chief of the Defence Staff has stated the medium helicopter programme is a priority. Urges Government to ensure the programme is in the defence investment plan, highlighting its importance for 3,000 jobs and supply chain SMEs. Stressed the importance of the new medium helicopter programme and questioned the Minister about delays in releasing the Delivery Investment Plan. He also asked for clarity on whether the Treasury and MOD are struggling to agree on finances.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends Adam Dance for highlighting the importance of jobs in his constituency and elsewhere, stresses that the contract is crucial for replacing the RAF Puma HC2 fleet and critical to national security. Calls on the Minister and Government to prioritise and fund the replacement accordingly.
Government Response
Luke Pollard
Government Response
It is good to see you in your place, Dr Allin-Khan. I thank the hon. Member for Yeovil (Adam Dance) for scheduling this debate. The Government cannot announce a decision on the new medium helicopter programme today but will do so as part of the defence investment plan soon. We inherited an overcommitted and underfunded procurement system, which we are reforming and restructuring. Since the general election, 1,100 major defence contracts have been signed by the Government, with 84% going to British companies. Leonardo remains a vital strategic partner to UK defence; the Defence Secretary spoke to Leonardo's global chief executive last week, and I met Leonardo officials in Saudi Arabia this week. We are engaging closely with Leonardo on the new medium helicopter programme. The company has sites across the UK, employing over 8,500 people, supporting many jobs through contracts such as a £453 million contract for radar systems. Since we came into office, we have set out to improve procurement times and invest in battlefield-ready technologies that give an increase in lethality. We will continue our conversations with Leonardo, ensuring the points raised by Yeovil constituents are taken on board.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.