Airbus shuns Chinese components for H175 with UK military programme in mind
The first H175 airframe with 100% European components. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters UK)
Latest H175 airframe includes exclusively European components.
Airbus Helicopters UK reports progress on construction of its first H175 airframe with components ‘built fully in Europe’, a company spokesperson noted on 14 June.
The airframe could be the first to be delivered (as the H175M) to the MoD under the UK New Medium Helicopter programme, if it is selected to replace 23 Puma HC2s and three other rotary-wing types in the mid-2020s.
The latest airframe ‘has been produced entirely free of any elements sourced from China as the result of a project that has been underway for the past five years, capitalising on European aerostructures capability’, the spokesperson added.
Colin James, MD of Airbus Helicopters UK, said: ‘We have built the first airframe using a supply base completely compliant with Western military requirements and we have identified multiple supplier sources who can provide the last two components of the complete helicopter which need to be replaced.’
He added that the H175M would be ‘fully capable of fulfilling the UK's NMH needs and of becoming a sustainable UK export product with the potential to resurrect the capacity and capability of the country's helicopter industry’.
A total of 26 civilian H175 helicopters are already in daily operations over the North Sea.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin and DoD move closer to agreement on F-35 Lots 18 and 19]()
Lockheed Martin and DoD move closer to agreement on F-35 Lots 18 and 19
The formal contract is expected before the end of 2024. Lockheed Martin stated in October 2024 that negotiations surrounding the Lots 18 and 19 were still underway.
-
![Gulfstream awarded $991 million contract from US Air Force]()
Gulfstream awarded $991 million contract from US Air Force
The contract will last for seven years and will provide comprehensive maintenance services for the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard.
-
![Sweden confirms spares for 14 Gripen fighters sent to Ukraine]()
Sweden confirms spares for 14 Gripen fighters sent to Ukraine
Sweden’s Defence Minister, Pål Jonson, said at a press conference with Ukrainian Minister of Defence, Rustem Umerov, that materials provided for the Gripen aircraft amounted to “up to 14 platforms.”
-
![EuroDASS partners unveil details on next-gen EW system for Eurofighter Typhoon]()
EuroDASS partners unveil details on next-gen EW system for Eurofighter Typhoon
The consortium has given details on the next-generation of sensing and jamming capabilities on the Eurofighter Typhoon without needing to update the airframe, according to the group’s partners.
-
![Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets]()
Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
-
![UK, Japan and Italy discuss potential to bring other countries into GCAP programme]()
UK, Japan and Italy discuss potential to bring other countries into GCAP programme
At the G20 summit in Brazil, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with a nod given to potentially widening the participation out to other countries.
