GE Aerospace Picks StandardAero To Build, Maintain UK's AW149 Engines

LONDON—GE Aerospace has chosen StandardAero to build, maintain and overhaul the CT7 engines that will power the UK’s Leonardo AW149 New Medium Helicopter (NMH) fleet.

The aeroengine manufacturer’s CT7-2E1 turboshaft has been selected to power the 23 AW149 twin-engine utility helicopters ordered in March as part of the NMH program.

The agreement also includes spare engines, parts, long-term services and other support.

StandardAero’s facility in Gosport, England, will produce the engines and support future export contracts for the AW149s sold from the UK. Barnes Aerospace, based in Newton Abbot, England, was awarded a six-year contract in August 2025 to build parts for the CT7/T700 family of engines. GE Aerospace says the selection of the British facilities meets economic, social and environmental initiatives as part of the UK’s Social Value Model.

Leonardo selected the GE engine over the Safran Helicopter Engines Aneto 1K that is also integrated onto the AW149/189 family of super-medium helicopters. Safran, too, had proposed local final assembly and testing.

The UK Defense Ministry finally declared Leonardo the winner of the NMH contest in March after a drawn-out acquisition process affected by the delays to the Defense Investment Plan. 

The 23 helicopters—which will be built by Leonardo at the company’s Yeovil, England, facility—will replace the Royal Air Force’s Airbus Puma Mk. 2 and the British Army’s AS365 Dauphin fleets. 

The first aircraft is due to be delivered in summer 2030, but the type will not enter service until 2031. All aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by fall 2033. Leonardo has also proposed local assembly of AW149s for export. 

The type is currently operated by Egypt, Poland and Thailand. UK officials have said some 20 countries have requirements for new medium-lift helicopters.