GE Aerospace has secured a major defence propulsion programme after Leonardo selected the CT7-2E1 turboshaft engine to power 23 AW149 helicopters for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) Programme.
The agreement extends beyond engine supply to include spare engines, spare parts, long-term maintenance services and comprehensive lifecycle support, reinforcing GE Aerospace’s role as a long-term propulsion and aftermarket partner for the programme.
The CT7-2E1 engine has been widely adopted across Leonardo‘s AW149 and AW189 helicopter fleets and has established a strong operational record in military and civil applications. More than 300 CT7-2E1 engines have been delivered globally, collectively accumulating over 500,000 flight hours across a wide range of operating environments.
According to GE Aerospace, the engine has consistently demonstrated high reliability while offering reduced fuel consumption, lower operating costs and improved maintenance efficiency compared with other engines in its power class.
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A key differentiator of the CT7-2E1 is its modular engine architecture, which enables individual engine modules to be removed, repaired or replaced in the field without requiring the complete engine to be returned to a depot. This capability significantly reduces maintenance downtime, improves fleet availability and lowers lifecycle support costs for military operators.
“The CT7 engine’s track record as a highly reliable workhorse powerplant is well established,” said Breanne Escalante, General Manager, Rotorcraft & Turboprop Engines at GE Aerospace. “We are pleased that the CT7-2E1 has been selected to power the UK NMH helicopter fleet and look forward to providing world-class support for these engines, as well as the broader T700/CT7 engine fleet already operated by the UK Armed Forces,” Escalante said.
The CT7-2E1 belongs to GE Aerospace‘s T700/CT7 engine family, one of the most widely deployed military helicopter engine platforms worldwide. To date, more than 25,000 T700/CT7 engines have been delivered, collectively exceeding 130 million flight hours while powering 15 military and civilian helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft types.
For the UK Ministry of Defence, introducing the CT7-2E1 also provides operational commonality with existing T700-series engines already in service, simplifying logistics, maintenance planning and technical training while reducing long-term operating costs.
Beyond engine supply, GE Aerospace will support Leonardo in delivering the programme’s industrial participation commitments under the UK Social Value Model, contributing to domestic maintenance capability, manufacturing and workforce development.
As part of the initiative, StandardAero’s Gosport facility will undertake the assembly, maintenance and overhaul of CT7-2E1 engines for the UK NMH fleet, while Barnes Aerospace’s Newton Abbot facility will manufacture engine components for both domestic use and export programmes.
GE Aerospace will also leverage its UK operations in Cheltenham, Cardiff, Prestwick and Gloucester to support apprenticeship programmes, technical workforce development, educational outreach and sustainability initiatives, further strengthening the country’s aerospace industrial base.
For the MRO sector, the programme highlights the growing importance of integrated lifecycle support as modern military operators increasingly seek propulsion solutions that combine operational reliability with modular maintenance, local overhaul capability and long-term fleet sustainment. The CT7-2E1’s field-serviceable design and established global support network are expected to play a key role in improving aircraft availability while reducing maintenance turnaround times and total cost of ownership throughout the fleet’s operational life.
