The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed it is actively exploring options to address short-term capability gaps in helicopter operations in Cyprus and Brunei ahead of the entry into service of the new H-145 platform in 2026.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Mark Francois MP, Maria Eagle, Minister of State for Defence, stated: “The Department is scoping a variety of options to fulfil the short-term capability gaps before H-145 enters service from 2026. A final decision is yet to be made on the specific capability solution; thus we are not yet able to disclose our proposed capability solution.”
The MOD faces an interim challenge following the planned retirement of the Puma helicopter fleet, particularly in key overseas locations such as RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Brunei, where the aircraft have been essential for troop transport, operational support, and humanitarian missions.
Eagle added that any costs associated with mitigating these gaps will be absorbed within the MOD’s existing budget: “Any incurred costs will be managed within current budgets to ensure the solutions provide maximum value for money.”
The new H-145 helicopters, announced as the replacement for the ageing Puma fleet, are expected to offer significant improvements in capability, efficiency, and operational readiness.
However, their phased introduction from 2026 leaves a temporary shortfall that the MOD must address to maintain operational commitments.
There are an awful lot of “temporary shortfalls” in capabilities at the moment…
The fact that there isn’t helicopters available to cover the gap is telling. If there was a major war, the number would clearly be insufficient if we can’t cover peace time activities.
Correction.
“The 6 new H145 are the replacement for Puma.”
Pretty misleading.
Bell and Griffon helicopters of the AAC and RAF were the resident aviation assets at Brunei and Cyprus.
They, like other assets, were cut.
The HC145s were the replacement for them.
Puma was drafted in as an interim, and is itself now scrapped.
Weeell I do believe that there are still 5 brand new H135 light rotors sitting in a warehouse in RAF Shawbury..that some idiots purchased and then never used.
They were supposed to be used instead of Gazelles here in NI but of course they were deemed unnecessary due to the ‘better’ security situation and cut then they were indeed sold to the Aussies!
They were sold to Australia
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-sells-surplus-h135-military-helicopters-to-australia/
Sure I read we sold them to australia
Think we sold em for a tenner to the Aussies
I know that the Rocks are seen in some quarters as a bit of a joke but in the 80s they were an Attractive choice for other ranks and officers candidates ( although a combination of few vacancies and large numbers of posts being maned by chopped pilots, wanting to stay in the RAF) made for few external vacancies. The rotation between LAD, light armoured Sqns a Para sqn and even the Queens Colour Sqn if you wanted a couple of years marching!!! We all know why they were formed…… Crete an island protected by the Mediterranean fleet came under… Read more »
The Puma is cheap, rugged, easy to maintain with a small support chain, any replacement will automatically mean a reduction in numbers at a time when the RAF is far too small as it is. With all this endless concentration on reducing aircraft fleets. Additional Pumas replacing the Bells would be better. 6 HC145s are too small a fleet looking to be cancelled. A Puma can do everything the HC145 at a cheaper cost. We need greater numbers of reliable relatively affordable helicopters to do their original role of flying truck that isn’t too expensive to operate in area’s where… Read more »
Pumas haven’t been manufactured since 1987.
U.K. already has seven H145s in service.
There’s no “attrition” in Brunei and Cyprus.
the RAF acquired six ex SAAF Pumas in the late 90s. There were about 40 late model J & L SAAF surplus available. Although hard worked , they had relatively low engine airframe hours (on average circa 16 years). Extremely well maintained and going for a song – oh well
Blackhawk. Current model 35 please
Not happening, they pulled out of NMH
“MOD scoping options to address helicopter capability gaps”
… let’s not kid ourselves, the principal option is a high on the rhetoric press release …
Here’s an idea……. Order the 40 odd NMH airframes .
NMH….the most lacklustre procurement project since Gavin’s LSS’s!!
The big concern should be the loss of pilots and master aircrew – takes years to nurture – we’re losing invaluable generational capabilities.
They won’t be lost, surely, they could be absorbed into the growing CH47 fleet – ah, sorry, just realised the flaw in that plan.
“The new H-145 helicopters, announced as the replacement for the ageing Puma fleet, are expected to offer significant improvements in capability, efficiency, and operational readiness.”
This is false. H-145 is to replace Griffons.
The SK Mk4 of CHF replaced the Puma in NI whilst it (Puma) went through its mid life crisis. They (SK Mk4) only came into Service in 1979! Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but not as good as foresight,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The SK Mk 4s were very a better fit for the need of a truck in the sky and the Army really appreciated it over the RAF offerings and that is from the lads that had used the Senior Services Helo’s in NI. The Seaking would have been a better all round investment compared to the Puma as there were lots of airframes about. CHF had a real winner with it, even the Magical Merlin is not as welcomed and many lament the departure of the SK. However the units do need a better fit airframe that is able to… Read more »
Fully agree Angus. The SK Mk4 was a (fairly) low-tech and a highly capable work horse. Yet another poor decision and mis-targeted investment (Puma)
Forgot to say: flown by, maintained by and operated by the finest 🙂
100% right there. Ready for anything 24/7 and more than capable of delivering what was requested by the foot solidiers.
Yes and no for Sea King vs Puma. The Puma Mk1 was considerably faster than the Sea King (Junglie). Though the Sea King had a longer range. Plus the Junglyie was quite a bit bigger than a Puma. But for battlefield support the Puma was better than the Sea King, purely due to the two large sliding cabin doors. Whereas the Sea King had one large sliding door on the Starboard side and small door near the cockpit on the port side. Both were from the 70’s, so both the frames and skin was made from aluminium alloy. Which made… Read more »
Surplus US Army UH-60L that are being retired, could be a cheap short term replacement for RAF Puma.
Blackhawk has droppped out of the NMH competition, so unlikely
Confirming an OSD for a capability and THEN ‘scoping options to address gap’ is all that’s wrong with MoD planning and procurement in a nutshell!
The problem is that the Westland SA330E Puma is a decades old design and is no longer in production so it needs to be replaced
Why did the Government purchase German built helicopters for these roles without competition?
That’s just it Grant – they didn’t. It’s more Government spin and outright lies in the hope that tame journalists will continue to toe the party line and not ask awkward questions – “look old chap helicopters are helicopters ok?!, let me too up your scotch”…
Just wait until the 2025 review..the cuts that are coming will even make ” call me Dave ” look good…
UK … Just buy 30-40 off the shelf UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters from US. Maybe licensed built in UK. Light Infantry and accompanying arms and special forces need a combat airlift with a meaningful space inside for rifle section or half a platoon. with a decent underslung lift. When I served during cold war the mode of transport for my platoon/section etc was the Puma. So Puma has done a great job for over 50 years in UK service.
Does one laugh or cry at an interim solution for a capability gap equals maximum value for money. One presumes getting it right without a capability gap that needs to be filled would be the best value for money. You certainly get the feeling that as we suspect putting replacements off for as long as possible is the real and long time approach to saving money by Govts for some time. For some reason I get the image of Eagle writing scripts for Dads army evangelising how the Home Guard using broom handles for riffles as giving maximum value for… Read more »
Australian NH90s ?
They buried them