The Government of the United Kingdom is poised to grant Leonardo a £1 billion ($1.3 billion) contract for 23 medium-lift military helicopters, a source familiar with the matter told AFP.
The contract would secure the future of Leonardo’s Yeovil plant in southwest England — the country’s only military helicopter production facility — which employs approximately 3,000 workers. The site’s long-term viability had been in doubt after the company warned of potential closure without new orders.
The decision is expected ahead of a March 1 deadline for finalizing the award. The Unite the Union welcomed the move as a major success for employees and the UK defense industry.
Leonardo was the last remaining contender after Airbus and Lockheed Martin exited the bidding process, according to media reports.
The development comes amid commitments by NATO allies to increase defense expenditure to five percent of GDP by 2035, alongside calls from Donald Trump for stronger European defense contributions. Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently emphasized the need for the UK to move more rapidly in boosting military investment.
Founded in 1915, the Yeovil facility was initially established to produce aircraft in support of Britain’s First World War efforts.
