Spain approves $5.3 billion mega-order of 100 Airbus helicopters
In addition to the hefty H145M order, Madrid will also acquire 31 NH90 helicopters, 13 H135 rotorcraft and six H175M super-medium utility models.
In addition to the hefty H145M order, Madrid will also acquire 31 NH90 helicopters, 13 H135 rotorcraft and six H175M super-medium utility models.
While Airbus talks with a number of “other customers," about interest in the H175M, company executive Bruno Even expects London to "reflect" on the status of the New Medium Helicopter competition.
The ITN phase is expected to deliver, for the first time, a full breakdown of requirements and costs for industry for the estimated $1.3 billion program.
"Clearly the longer these negotiations take…. the harder it is for any defense contractor to be able to then say that they've got a low-risk solution, [especially] if the end date for delivery doesn't move," Adam Clarke, managing director at Leonardo Helicopters UK, told Breaking Defense.
Four competitors are left standing in the UK's New Medium Helicopter program with a future contractor due to reap a lucrative reward of $1.15 billion.