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.
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement]()
UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement
Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
-
![Sweden requests approval to pursue Gripen and GlobalEye sales to Peru and Denmark]()
Sweden requests approval to pursue Gripen and GlobalEye sales to Peru and Denmark
The Swedish Government has asked parliament to authorise two possible export sales as part of its 2025 Spring amending budget bill.
-
![Germany confirms loitering munitions contracts for its armed forces]()
Germany confirms loitering munitions contracts for its armed forces
Contracts for the procurement of two platforms have been signed, and will be tested by the German armed forces.
-
![Spanish Air Force receives first converted A330 MRTT]()
Spanish Air Force receives first converted A330 MRTT
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air Force have been undergoing conversion in Getafe, Madrid.
-
![Indonesia commits to further collaboration with Turkey, eyes Kaan jet and MILDEN programmes]()
Indonesia commits to further collaboration with Turkey, eyes Kaan jet and MILDEN programmes
The two countries have already signed defence industrial partnerships in recent years, most recently between Republikorp and Turkish firm Baykar in February 2025.
