MP hails 'outstanding news' as helicopter deal agreed

A £1bn government contract to build military helicopters at a Somerset factory has been hailed as "outstanding news" by the area's MP.

On Saturday the Italian manufacturer confirmed the company would build the government's new medium helicopter fleet.

It follows a protracted process but confirmation from Treasury sources on Friday that the deal to build 23 defence helicopters at Leonardo's Yeovil factory was close to being signed off.

In a social media post, Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil and South Somerset, said: "This decision protects more than 3,000 highly skilled jobs in Yeovil, supports thousands more in the supply chain, and secures the UK's only end-to-end helicopter manufacturing site."

"It is a strong vote of confidence in our workforce and in Yeovil's future," he added.

Leonardo's chief executive, Roberto Cingolani, earlier said the factory's future would be at risk if it was not awarded the government contract.

The Yeovil factory was previously used to built planes used in World War One under the name Westland.

In the 1950s, it switched to making helicopters and more recently has specialised in Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.

Leonardo has sites in Edinburgh, Luton, Basildon, Bristol, Newcastle, Southampton and Lincoln, employing thousands more workers in its supply chains.

The deal was finalised late on Friday night, with Leonardo selected to produce 23 AW 149 helicopters.

The company had initially put in a bid to build 44, but this was downsized after the government's budget and requirements were reduced in 2024.

A decision on the contract had been due in the autumn, but it was delayed by the government - with the current tender due to expire on 1 March.

Thousands of workers were left in limbo when a planned visit from Defence Secretary John Healey to award the contract was cancelled on Thursday, and it is understood the chancellor and prime minister chose to intervene to ensure the project would go ahead, in part to protect UK jobs.

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