Update on UK involvement in NATO Next Gen Rotorcraft Project – UK Defence Journal

Progress made in pre-concept stage, Ministry of Defence expects concept phase to run over the next three years.

An update has been provided on the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability programme after Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham, inquired about the status of the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability project.

James Cartlidge, Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence, provided an update on the progress made.

Cartlidge explained that the UK has led the NGRC project through the Pre-Concept stage since the signing of the Letter of Intent (LOI) in October 2020. The project advanced to the Concept Phase, which is expected to last three years, following the signing of the NGRC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 16, 2022.

Since the signing of the Letter of Intent (LOI) in October 2020, the UK has guided the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) project through the Pre-Concept stage. The NGRC Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 16 June 2022, marked the transition of the project to the Concept Phase which is expected to run over the next three years.

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) established the NGRC program office in November 2022. The office is currently drafting the Statements of Work and contracts for the initial concept studies. The Army, DSTL, and Defence Equipment and Support hold key positions within the Program Office, Steering Board, and Partnership Committee.

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) run NGRC program office was stood up in November 2022 and is currently writing the Statements of Work and contracts for the initial concept studies. The Army, DSTL and Defence Equipment and Support have pivotal roles within the Program Office, Steering Board, and Partnership Committee.

The NGRC project aims to develop a revolutionary rotorcraft that will remain relevant against future threats and serve as a suitable replacement for current fleets of medium helicopters used by the UK and NATO Allies.

We expect the NATO NGRC project to develop a transformational Next Generation Rotorcraft that will remain relevant against future threats and will be a suitable candidate to replace current fleets of Medium Helicopters in service with the UK and NATO Allies.

Cartlidge assured that the UK is fully engaged with the NATO NGRC project to explore options for potential replacements across Defence.

The UK is fully engaged with the NATO NGRC project to develop options for potential replacements across Defence.

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Update on UK involvement in NATO Next Gen Rotorcraft Project - UK Defence Journal