Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to increase the level of funding available for the New Medium Helicopter programme in the Strategic Defence Review.

The Strategic Defence Review will guide future capability development priorities, to ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad - now and for the years to come. The Reviewers will make their final report in the first half of 2025, and it is therefore only right that we do not prejudice the details of the review at this stage.

The New Medium Helicopter (NMH) Programme is an initiative to acquire a modern medium-lift support helicopter, addressing multiple rotary wing requirements to improve efficiency and operational flexibility. The NMH programme is part of a wider holistic approach on the MOD's use of rotary wing. The tender evaluation is now ongoing and is expected to complete in the first half of 2025.