Europe begins developing a next-generation medium-lift helicopter

By Boyko Nikolov On Nov 21, 2020

STUTTGART, (BM) – In the coming years, five European countries will develop and produce a next-generation helicopter for their needs as members of the Atlantic Alliance [NATO-ed.], learned BulgarianMilitary.com citing the US military online Defense Defense.

France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Greece will work to develop the new helicopter, which is expected to begin phasing out the current air helicopter fleets in 2035 at the earliest, according to published information. We are talking about a next generation helicopter, which is a type of helicopter with a medium lift. The information was also confirmed by a press release from the NATO press secretariat.

According to military analysts, this action is necessary because within a period of ten years [2030-2040 – ed.] The current fleets of these countries, as well as other NATO member states, are expected to begin the gradual retirement of existing helicopters. According to NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, the new next-generation helicopter will aim to provide new functionality to the system and improve the defense capabilities of NATO member states or countries that wish to purchase it. The idea, according to NATO’s deputy secretary general, is to maintain or increase the alliance’s advantage.

So far, this agreement between the five European countries is non-binding, as it is possible that other willing parties will join the project, but only if the current five countries agree and give their permission.

What the five NATO member states have to do is draw up action plans, share responsibilities for the production of next-generation helicopters, and draw up a legal framework for cooperation. There is no information at the moment about the financial framework of the project and which country will have a share in it. Military analysts say perhaps the most difficult task for the five countries will be to agree together on the meaning of the term “next-generation helicopter” and what features it will need to fall into that category.

A new next-generation helicopter would significantly support European members of the Atlantic Alliance in future military missions, experts say. It is not just about actual combat operations, but about special forces operations, various logistics and other types of transport operations, the transport of medium-weight cargo, soldiers and certain operational weapons units.

Military analysts also say that it is no coincidence that the time when European NATO members decided to launch such a project. It is exactly the same as that of the US Air Force, which is also starting to develop a next-generation helicopter. It is quite possible that at some point the two sides will compare work or join forces that can lead to highly functional and effective solutions.

However, the difference comes from the progress of the United States – Bell and Sikorski already have a technological framework and a demonstrator for next-generation helicopters. The United States is even on the verge of awarding the contract in question, which should provide the new helicopters to the US Air Force sometime in 2030 – five years earlier than the European project.

***

Follow us everywhere and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you can open the page from any computer, mobile devices or web browsers. For more up-to-date news from us, follow our YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages. Do not miss the chance to subscribe to our newsletter. Subscribe and read our stories in News360App in AppStore or GooglePlay or in FeedlyApp in AppStore or GooglePlay

Subscribe to Google News

>>Be a reporter: Write and send your article.<<

BulgarianMilitary.com
Editorial team