Adam Dance MP welcomes award of New Medium Helicopter contract to Leonardo after months of campaigning

Yeovil’s Liberal Democrat MP, Adam Dance has welcomed the Government’s decision to award the £1 billion New Medium Helicopter (NMH) contract to Leonardo in Yeovil, following months of sustained campaigning.

The contract secures the future of the UK’s only end-to-end helicopter manufacturing site and protects more than 3,000 skilled jobs in Yeovil, alongside thousands more across the regional supply chain.

Since uncertainty emerged around the programme, Adam has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament. He secured a Westminster Hall debate dedicated to the future of the NMH, tabled Parliamentary Questions, and pressed Ministers directly for clarity on the timeline and funding for the contract. He has also met regularly with Leonardo’s leadership and workforce representatives to champion the case for Yeovil.

Adam Dance MP said:

“This is fantastic news for Yeovil and for our wider region. After months of uncertainty, this decision secures thousands of skilled jobs and gives real confidence to families and businesses who depend on Leonardo.

“I have worked tirelessly to make the case in Parliament that this contract is vital - not just for Yeovil, but for our national defence capability. Following the retirement of the Puma fleet, there was a clear capability gap. The AW149 helicopters will help fill that gap and strengthen our Armed Forces.

“Just as importantly, this award protects Britain’s sovereign ability to design and build helicopters at home. That capability is strategically important and incredibly difficult to rebuild once lost.

“I am proud to have stood alongside colleagues and the workforce to fight for this outcome. This announcement is a testament to the skill of the people who work at Leonardo and the strength of our local campaign.”

The NMH programme will see the AW149 helicopter built in Yeovil, reinforcing the town’s historic role as the home of British helicopters and securing long-term investment in advanced manufacturing in the South West.