Defence contractor Leonardo will this week make its pitch to seal a £1billion deal to replace the UK’s ageing Puma fleet of helicopters.
The Italian-owned firm is battling with rivals Airbus and America’s Lockheed Martin for the Ministry of Defence contract, with the winner to be announced next year.
Despite pressure on the Government to hike defence spending, there are fears the deal could be scrapped after Labour’s defence review. One industry source said it was an ‘obvious candidate’.
The Puma fleet’s life could be extended to the 2030s instead. Leonardo will argue the case for its AW149 helicopters, made in Yeovil, at this week’s Farnborough Airshow.
It employs more than 3,000 staff at Yeovil, where helicopters have been made for 80 years. It already sells the AW149 to Poland and others.
Making a pitch: Leonardo is battling with rivals Airbus and Lockheed Martin for the Ministry of Defence contract to replace the Puma
Airbus and Lockheed would also make the helicopters in the UK if they win the contract, with Airbus building a facility in Wales where it already makes wings.
The helicopters replace Pumas, which date back to the 1970s.
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