Everyone is in agreement. The UK Armed Forces need more helicopters, especially for the battlefield - officials from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have confirmed to House of Commons committees on several occasions in the last six months that there is at least a 20%, perhaps as much as a 38%, shortfall in the helicopter lift required. For 15 years, replacement for the venerable Puma has been discussed but not actioned, except for the acquisition of an additional four airframes from the South Africans. Almost a decade ago, the predecessor of the UK Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) started planning programmes to replace not just the Puma, but the Sea King Mk4 amphibious support helicopter as well. The remit included improving medium- and heavy-lift capabilities across the board. The resultant programmes were later amalgamated and dubbed SABR (Support Amphibious Battlefield Rotorcraft). In December, the current iteration of the website estimated the costs for the development and manufacture at £6.5bn. Yet, last summer Mr Hoon told the House of Commons that there was 'good news' for workers at Yeovil, home of Westland Helicopters Limited, the UK branch of AgustaWestland, because the MoD would 'invest' $3bn in new rotorcraft. So, an admission that there is not just a shortfall in numbers, but also a lack of funding.
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