Author: Huang Ruixin, Wu Haowei, Cai Yingshuai
In recent years, the main models of helicopters equipped by many countries in the world have entered their twilight years and are facing retirement. As an old aviation powerhouse, the procurement project of a new generation of helicopters in Britain and France has also attracted much attention. After France officially placed an order for Airbus H160M helicopters, the UK's tender for medium-sized helicopters also officially kicked off.
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) announced the signing of a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the development and ordering of H160M Guépard helicopters within the framework of the Light Joint Helicopter Program (HIL). The contract includes the development of several prototypes and the purchase of a total of 169 H160Ms. The first deliveries will begin in 2027 and will include 30 helicopters (21 for the Army, 8 for the Navy and 1 for the Air Force).
The H160M is an evolution of the EASA-certified H160 helicopter. After many years of operation, the H160 is recognized as a model with low operating costs and a good flight safety record. Since the H160 was designed as a modular helicopter from the beginning, its military version can perform a variety of tasks such as assault infiltration, air interception, fire support and anti-ship operations on a single platform, which can meet the multiple operational needs of different services such as the army, navy and air force.
The UK Ministry of Defence tendered its new medium helicopter project and said it expects to sign a contract worth nearly $1.5 billion in 2025. This plan, which determines what kind of main general support helicopters the British army will use in the next 10 to 15 years, and has a large impact on the transformation and development of the British army, has attracted widespread attention from the outside world.
Although judging from the bidding situation, the configuration of the new generation of helicopters has not changed much, and its improvements in fuselage structure, power, avionics and other aspects may not be enough to be named a "new generation", but its improved modification does reflect some new design concepts for future helicopters.
According to the British Ministry of Defense, the new medium helicopters in this tender will replace the Army's Cougar helicopters, as well as the aging Bell 412, Bell 212 and Dolphin helicopters. The project envisages the delivery of 44 medium transport support helicopters that can operate in almost all environments and perform different tasks that were previously covered by different types of helicopters. It not only has the traditional capabilities of transportation, tactical delivery, and wounded evacuation, but also helps the British army enter specific areas to carry out special operations and perform diversified tasks in various complex environments. That is, the British army intends to simplify its existing multiple helicopter platforms into a single platform type, maximizing its versatility.
Replacing the old models with a single model undoubtedly brings a lot of convenience, and the original helicopter uses different units to adopt the "independent" model, which is too "specialized" in the design for a limited number of tasks, and can not achieve the optimal allocation of resources. The modular loading and multi-purpose capabilities of the new helicopter not only help to strengthen the communication and cooperation between the Royal Air Force and the British Army, but also greatly improve the efficiency of their daily maintenance and battlefield maintenance support. On the modern battlefield, equipment that can play the function of "all-rounder" and adapt to more battlefield tasks can undoubtedly play a greater role. The new helicopter in this tender can greatly improve its mission flexibility and effectively reduce the workload and cost of logistics support.
"The new medium helicopter will provide the necessary support for our military operations," said the UK Minister of Defence Procurement: "The key criteria for competition for this project include ensuring the independence of critical rotor operations, which allows us to respond quickly to emerging threats in a highly competitive world." It can be seen that this procurement plan will provide important equipment support for the future operations of the British army. According to reports, the procurement plan focuses on the maximum take-off weight of the helicopter, carrying capacity, flying in restricted areas and retrofitting and expansion capabilities. Obviously, these high standards can greatly improve the British Army's rapid mobility and long-range delivery capabilities. It will help to create a modern army that is more in line with the British Army's "Future Soldier" transformation plan and the army's modernization plan, which is "agile, functionally integrated, and has strong overseas influence". It can be seen that the focus of this tender is very much in line with the UK's strategy of relying on "small, professional and fast" special operations forces to maintain its international influence.
In addition to this, according to the British Ministry of Defense, the potential to export the helicopter to other countries will be an important factor for the UK to consider when evaluating the bid. It is obvious that the new medium-sized helicopters in this tender have a large market around the world, and there may be a huge potential market in NATO member states alone. For example, NATO's "Next Generation Gyrocopter Capability" project has similar procurement targets to this tender, and the scale has increased significantly. The UK's procurement plan is likely to have an exemplary effect on these potential "customers".
It is reported that the British Ministry of Defense attaches great importance to the operational independence it needs, and at the same time gives bidders attractive enough commitments. Lockheed and its subsidiary, Sikorsky, plan to submit the Black Hawk helicopter for a project of a new medium helicopter. Speaking at the Paris Air Show in June 2023, Sikorsky President Paul Lemo said, "In order to strengthen the bidding, the establishment of a Black Hawk final assembly line in the United Kingdom is being considered." Airbus has partnered with Boeing to market the H175M helicopter for the project, which will be manufactured in Wales.
On the other hand, through the UK's plans and projects in previous years, it is not difficult to know that while bidding and procurement, the UK is also working with many countries to develop or upgrade future helicopters. The United States, France, Germany, Greece, and Italy are among its partners, and countries such as Spain and the Netherlands have also become observers of cooperation projects.
Looking at the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, it is increasingly being seen that the consumption of both expensive planes and cheap rifles in modern warfare is staggering. In this attrition, equipment that can play the function of "all-rounder" and adapt to more battlefield tasks can undoubtedly play a greater role.
Therefore, in the environment of mutual cooperation and competition, this bidding plan will inevitably accelerate the upgrading of helicopters of various services and countries, as well as the development and transformation of combat forms and operational concepts. In recent years, the main helicopter models equipped by many countries in the world have entered the "twilight years", and as an old aviation power, the British new medium helicopter is different from the previous design, which may contain a new type of combat force and ideas.