The chiefs of Europe’s two biggest helicopter manufacturers say a joint next-generation military rotorcraft program remains possible — but only after six NATO nations lock in requirements expected this summer.
Europe’s two leading military helicopter manufacturers say they remain open to jointly developing NATO’s next-generation rotorcraft despite proposing sharply divergent — and largely incompatible — designs for the program.
The chiefs of Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo’s helicopter division expressed their willingness to collaborate on the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability program, known as NGRC, which six mostly European NATO member nations are steering toward a service-entry target of around 2035. Both companies also co-lead a European Defence Fund-backed effort, now in its second phase, to mature the technologies that would underpin such a program.
The problem is that their current visions for what the aircraft should look like could hardly be more different. Airbus has proposed a design rooted in its Racer high-speed compound rotorcraft architecture, while Leonardo has put forward a 17-ton tiltrotor — two approaches that appear largely incompatible.
“It is not the end of the story, we have already demonstrated that we can work together,” said Bruno Even, chief executive of Airbus Helicopters, citing the NH Industries consortium as proof. NHI — which also includes GKN/Fokker — is responsible for the NH90, an 11-ton-class military helicopter still in production. Even described as “one of the most successful examples of co-operation in the defence market.”
Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo’s helicopter division, matched that tone. “I think we should try, if possible, to converge,” he said. Cutillo argued that Europe must take “important steps” to secure its “technological autonomy” in defense.
“There are two companies, Leonardo and Airbus, that are at a certain level in terms of capability and competence,” Cutillo said. “We have to really get talking and see what we can do.”
Both executives were careful to ground their optimism in the realities of the procurement process. Cutillo said that while “we want to find something that works for both [companies],” any program “has to start from the requirements.” Even concurred, noting that the time for an industrial decision has not yet arrived.
“Today we are not at the point where a decision has to be taken to launch a new programme because our customers involved are not yet clear on what will be the final requirements,” Even said.
A pivotal open question is how much weight NGRC nations will place on high-speed performance relative to other operational capabilities — a determination expected by summer. Alongside its Racer-derived concept, Airbus also submitted an advanced conventional helicopter as part of its NGRC concept study. Even said he does not think “that high speed would be the only solution” for replacing the full fleet, adding that high-speed capability could prove to be “more of a niche in one part of the market.”
Should participating governments reach agreement on a program direction, Even said the path to a joint effort with Leonardo is clear. “I’m convinced that if we are one day in this kind of situation, I don’t see a reason why we should not be able to find an agreement. It would be in the interests of both parties,” he said.
“I do not see why we would not be able to partner with Leonardo,” Even added. “We should be able to discuss and sit around the table and find the way to launch a new programme.”
Key Takeaways
- Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even and Leonardo helicopter division Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo both expressed openness to collaborating on NATO’s NGRC program despite proposing technically incompatible designs.
- Airbus has proposed a Racer-derived high-speed compound design; Leonardo has pitched a 17-ton tiltrotor — two approaches described as largely incompatible.
- Any partnership hinges on final program requirements, which six mostly European NATO nations are expected to settle by summer.
- Both executives cited the NH Industries consortium — the joint venture behind the NH90 — as a working model for European rotorcraft cooperation.
- Airbus also submitted an advanced conventional helicopter alongside its high-speed concept ahead of the requirements decision.
