Verified UK government (gov.uk) press release, 2 March 2026
What it does not test. Does not establish that any helicopter has been delivered; production and rollout follow over subsequent years.
How this item counts. Towards autonomy: it changes who made the parts. Binding 2 of 3 (agreed or funded), scale 2 of 3 (medium), Verified counts in full: weight +4 of 36 possible. GBP1bn contract moves AW149 export production to UK (Yeovil) site. European Sovereignty Index