The UK Defense Ministry has insisted there are no plans to change the New Medium Helicopter program to find a replacement for Royal Air Force Airbus Pumas.
An F-35 has off-boarded data to a non-U.S. command and control system for the first time in testing by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works and the UK Royal Air Force.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even has suggested the RAF's Puma helicopter fleet could fly into the mid-2030s, potentially negating the need for a replacement medium rotorcraft.
Analysis for the Royal United Services Institute ahead of the UK’s ongoing Strategic Defense Review suggests investment in Typhoon and F-35 combat power is the quickest way to enhance deterrence.
Despite the upcoming UK defense review, Global Combat Air Program industrial partners have been encouraged by ministerial interest in the project at Farnborough.
The UK and France are testing their ability to project power to the Indo-Pacific at a time of growing political tension between Western states and China.