Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky division announced at the Farnborough Airshow it will establish a European production line for NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) program. The move positions Sikorsky to replace the alliance's medium-lift helicopter fleets. These fleets are expected to retire between 2035 and 2040.
The proposal encompasses component manufacturing, systems integration, and long-term sustainment. Sikorsky plans to partner with European aerospace firms and suppliers to create a local industrial ecosystem. This aims to foster technology transfer and support a regional workforce. The NGRC program began in 2022. Participants include France, Germany, Italy, the UK, and Canada.