Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's planned timetable is for awarding the contract for the New Medium Helicopter.

The New Medium Helicopter programme is an initiative to acquire a modern medium-lift support helicopter, addressing multiple rotary wing requirements to improve efficiency and operational flexibility.

All capability requirements, including the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, are being considered as part of the Government's Strategic Defence Review and the Defence Investment Plan which is due to be published later in the year. The NMH programme is currently awaiting Government approval which must be allowed to complete before a decision on contract award is made. Whilst this approval process continues, the Ministry of Defence cannot comment further.