UK’s New Medium Helicopter Program Left With One Bid as Airbus and Sikorsky Withdraw | Aviation

As the deadline to submit bids for the United Kingdom’s New Medium Helicopter program passes, Leonardo has been left as the sole remaining bidder as Airbus and Sikorsky confirm they will not seek the contract.

Releasing statements ahead of the midnight deadline on Aug. 30, 2024, Airbus and Sikorsky both maintain the suitability of their respective aircraft for the role envisaged, instead blaming their decisions on other factors surrounding the contract and current market conditions.

The Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky statement reads “We believe that Black Hawk remains the best solution both for the UK armed forces and UK industry and continue to collaborate with UK MoD to support its refresh of the wider UK Rotary Wing Strategy, but have elected not to submit a response to the New Medium Helicopter ITN as we could not meet its minimum requirements in today’s market conditions.”

Airbus made the following statement: “We believe that the outcome of this procurement as it stands would not be able to deliver on current defence-industrial strategy objectives, particularly its ambition for long-term new jobs, opportunities for the UK supply chain and sovereign capability.”

This news comes following a protracted two-year wait…