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…
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 airborne attack and yet they didn’t think that throwing everything at ensuring that the air fields didn’t fall. Made the RAF very nervous. Insistently in 1944 the RAF Regiment was larger than the army is now with over 80 000 men!
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 they will be attrition
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
“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 .
The big concern should be the loss of pilots and master aircrew – takes years to nurture – we’re losing invaluable generational capabilities.
“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.