Leonardo’s world-class helicopter design and manufacturing facility in Yeovil – the Home of British Helicopter – drives prosperity in the South West region and across the UK, through inspiration, invention and engineering excellence.
With a 3,300-strong workforce, the site contributes £320m in GDP to the local economy, and £890m to the wider UK economy.
Leonardo's proposed solution for the UK Ministry of Defence's New Medium Helicopter requirement is supported by the AW149’s onshore supply chain, which represents a comprehensive footprint across the UK. This includes some of the leading small and medium sized British companies that comprise over 70-tier one suppliers. Winning the AW149 work will directly create or sustain 1,500 highly skilled jobs nationwide and support more than 12,000 helicopters jobs across Leonardo’s established supply chain.
The company's support to a thriving UK-wide helicopters supply chain saw it invest £604m in onshore helicopter operations in 2023 to future proof its Somerset-based manufacturing facilities. In September 2024, the company also opened its £30m logistics hub in Yeovil.
These investments ensure that Leonardo continues to be ‘AW149-ready’, fully equipped to deliver the medium multi-role helicopter to the UK MOD.
