LONDON--The U.K. MoD is to go-ahead with a major life extension program for the RAF's Puma HC1 helicopter fleet that will equip the aircraft with new engines and avionics. The decision to approve the GBP300 million-plus program was taken after the MoD decided it was "not feasible to advance the purchase of the [replacement] Future Medium Helicopter" at this time.

Deliveries of the new aircraft to replace the upgraded Puma HC2s are expected to commence from 2022 and replace Royal Navy Westland Sea Kings by 2017. Contrary to some expectation, the MoD opted not to progress a Sea King life extension, but said it was continuing to assess how best to continue to deliver the capability currently provided by the Sea King Mk4.

The MoD aims to invest around GBP6 billion in helicopters over the next 10 years, according to U.K. Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, including GBP3.5 billion on 120 new aircraft plus upgrades to another 200.

Following national conjecture over the number of helicopters supporting the U.K.'s military operations in Afghanistan, around GBP130 million has been secured to upgrade the engines on 25 RAF Chinook HC2/2As. To date, 15 already have been modified with the rest due for completion between 2012 and 2014.

Engine upgrades also are underway on 22 British Army Lynx AH9 helicopters, while six ex-Danish Air Force Agusta Westland AW101 Merlin helicopters are being introduced to boost the RAF's fleet of the type by 25%, thereby enabling the type's deployment to Afghanistan later this year.