RAF Puma HC2 fleet replacement
Over the last months different options have been published in the media about the future of the remaining Royal Air Force (RAF) Puma HC2 helicopters. Initially, it was reported that the planned Out of Service Date for this fleet was to be in 2030. In the UK Defence Command Paper, released in March 2022, it was announced that this would be brought forward to 2025, and more recently it was even suggested that this date was to be pulled in further to 31 December 2022.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported to be looking for a "New Medium Lift" helicopter due to enter service during the mid-2020s. This type would replace not only the ageing Puma HC2 helicopters, but also the Army Air Corps Bell 212 helicopters, which are operated by 667sq in Brunei, the Royal Air Force Griffin helicopters, which are operated by 84sq at RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus) and the AS365N3 Dauphins used for special service support, by Army Air Corps unit 658sq at Credenhill.
Potential candidates for the contract are Airbus Helicopters (H-175), Leonardo (AW149) and Sikorsky (UH-60M).
An interesting twist to the story is that despite its age, the Puma HC2 is being named as an interim replacement for the AB212 helicopters in Brunei (Q3 2022) and the Griffin helicopters in Cyrus (Q2 2023). This at least seems to indicate that the Out of Service Date of 31 December 2022 is not correct.
The question is what the MoD will do if the New Medium Lift helicopter is not yet available in 2025. Will the Puma HC2 soldier on past 2025, or despite creating a capability gap will it be retired anyway. Looking at the cancellation of the Nimrod MRA4 project and the more recent retirement plans of the Sentry AEW1, the UK military are forced more often to deal with capability gaps.
The Royal Air Force currently has 23 Puma HC2 helicopter on strength, albeit five are believed to be in temporary storage at RAF Benson. All are operated by the so-called Benson Pool, which allocates the helicopters to 28sq, 33sq and 230sq based on requirement.
Pictures: Ministry of Defence, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo