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Wildcat Helicopters

Asked by Gideon AmosLiberal DemocratMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 24602

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) alternative operational roles, including as an airborne command and control platform coordinating uncrewed systems, (b) transferring airframes to support Royal Marines littoral operations and (c) trials of crewed-uncrewed teaming and counter-drone capability conducted on the Wildcat platform by Leonardo, Dstl and the Royal Navy in the context of the retirement of the Army Air Corps Wildcat AH1 fleet from 2027.

Answered by Ministry of Defence

Further to the Defence Investment Plan announcement of 30 June 2026, Defence continues to examine options associated with the planned withdrawal of the Wildcat AH1 fleet from service from 2027. Work is being undertaken to understand potential opportunities, and it would be inappropriate to comment further while this work remains ongoing.

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