Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of new NHM medium lift helicopters required for defence operations by the (a) Army and (b) RAF] in the next three years; what his timescale is for reaching a decision on the number of NHM to be procured by the Armed Forces; and if he will make a statement.

Current medium lift rotary wing tasks are being undertaken by existing capabilities. I expect that the formal competition, through the release of a Contract Notice will be announced soon.