Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
RAF Puma Helicopter Concludes 54 Years of Service
The Puma medium support helicopter, a veteran aircraft in the Royal Air Force (RAF) inventory, has concluded its service after an impressive 54 years. Marking the retirement of this workhorse helicopter, the RAF conducted farewell flights across the United Kingdom, as well as in Brunei and Cyprus. The Ministry of Defence has yet to announce a replacement for the Puma helicopter, a key component of UK defense capabilities for over half a century.
Puma Helicopter’s Final Days and Withdrawal
As of its official retirement on March 31st, the RAF still maintained a fleet of 23 Puma helicopters, all upgraded to the HC2 standard. However, preparations for the withdrawal had begun months prior, with RAF Benson, the primary operating base in England, initiating storage procedures for the Puma fleet. The announcement of the Puma fleet’s decommissioning by the end of March was made last November as part of broader reductions in the UK Armed Forces. By that time, the active Puma frontline fleet had already been reduced to 17 aircraft.
Farewell Flights: A Final Salute to a Veteran Aircraft
A farewell flight involving three Puma helicopters, designated WARLOCK flight, departed from RAF Benson on March 26th. The route encompassed various locations significant to the Puma’s RAF history.
Locations of Significance
- Northern Ireland: The Puma played a crucial role during The Troubles, providing essential support and transport for the British Army and subsequent peacekeeping operations.
- Key Training Bases: Flypasts included Cranwell, Halton, Honington, Shawbury, and the Stanford Training Area (STANTA), all vital training locations.
- Maintenance and Upkeep Sites: Boscombe Down and Airbus Kidlington, centers for maintenance and operational support in the Puma’s later years, were also part of the route.
“This flight route is via various locations of significance,” stated Wing Commander Nick Monahan, Commanding Officer of No. 33 Squadron and Puma Force Commander. “Each place reflects the rich history and contributions that the Puma has made during its time in service. The aircraft has been a cornerstone of global defense operations for more than five decades. We want to celebrate its contribution to supporting our people around the world over the past 54 years.”
Overseas Farewell Flights: Brunei and Cyprus
Additional farewell flypasts were conducted at the Puma’s other final operational locations: Brunei, supporting a British Army Royal Gurkha Rifles battalion, and Cyprus, home to the RAF’s last dedicated search and rescue squadron. In Cyprus, Pumas also supported broader British military activities and aerial firefighting efforts.
Puma Helicopter: Design, Capabilities, and Operational History
Originally designed by Aérospatiale of France and built in the UK by Westland, the Puma entered RAF service in 1971. Its primary initial role was troop and logistics transport, as well as casualty evacuation on the battlefield, particularly in a potential NATO-Warsaw Pact conflict scenario in Central Europe.
Capabilities and Versatility
The Puma could accommodate 12 fully equipped troops or carry up to 4,400 pounds of freight, either internally or as underslung cargo. In a casualty evacuation configuration, it could carry up to six stretchers.
Decades of Operational Deployments
The helicopter quickly established a reputation for agility, speed, and versatility through numerous overseas and humanitarian relief missions. Beyond Northern Ireland and Belize, the RAF Puma saw significant operational use in Rhodesia, the Iraq conflicts of 1991 and 2003, and the former Yugoslavia, contributing to the UK’s involvement in the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).
Puma HC2 Upgrade Program
Out of the original 48 Puma HC1 variants, 24 underwent upgrades to the HC2 standard. One HC2 was lost in operations in Afghanistan. The Puma HC2 featured more powerful Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines, extended range, new composite tail rotor blades, and a modernized digital cockpit, among other enhancements, collectively known as the Puma Life Extension Programme (LEP).
HC2 Service and Afghanistan Deployment
The first upgraded Puma HC2 helicopters were introduced into RAF service in September 2012, achieving initial operational capability in August 2015.
Post-upgrade, Puma HC2s were extensively deployed in Afghanistan between 2015 and 2021.
“It’s a great aircraft for the operations we’ve been on,” Squadron Leader Niall Davidson, Second-in-Command of No. 33 Squadron, told Forces News. “Be that Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan.”
He added, “It’s a great aircraft for getting in and out of really tight urban sites, even in high altitudes of Kabul we are able to lift troops out of really tight sites and keep them off the roads.”
Recent Operations and Partial Replacement
Recent Puma deployments included Operation Ruman, delivering humanitarian aid in the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Domestically, the Puma supported the COVID-19 pandemic response under Operation Rescript in 2020.
In Belize and Cyprus, the Puma’s role will be assumed by six Jupiter (Airbus H145) helicopters starting next year. The RAF primarily utilizes the Jupiter for advanced training.
Uncertainty Surrounds Puma Replacement
The replacement for the majority of the RAF Puma fleet remains undecided.
Recent reports suggest the United Kingdom is nearing a decision on a platform for its New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement. This program, intended to replace the Puma, has faced delays, budgetary concerns, and the withdrawal of two of the initial three bidders.
The NMH competition, estimated at $1.5 billion, initially sought up to 44 new rotorcraft. If the program proceeds, the number is likely to be reduced to 23–30 helicopters. Besides the Puma, the NMH is also slated to replace the six ‘Blue Thunder’ AS365N3 Dauphin IIs, utilized for special forces support operations, notably by the Special Air Service (SAS).
Previously, the Airbus Helicopters H175M, Leonardo AW149, and Lockheed Martin S-70M Black Hawk were contenders for NMH. However, Airbus Helicopters and Lockheed Martin withdrew last year, citing inability to meet requirements within the allocated budget. While Leonardo is now the likely frontrunner, the program’s future remains uncertain amid challenging defense procurement decisions.
Future of Retired Puma Helicopters
The fate of the retired Puma helicopters is also unclear.
Despite their age, the airframes have been modernized and well-maintained, potentially making them attractive in the secondhand market if not scrapped.
Another option could be donation to Ukraine, which would likely find them useful. Ukraine has previously received retired UK military helicopters, specifically former Royal Navy Sea Kings. Portugal’s donation of eight Pumas to Ukraine could also provide valuable commonality.
Conclusion: End of an Era for a Venerable Aircraft
Regardless of their future, the venerable Puma helicopters have provided invaluable service to the British Armed Forces over an exceptionally long and distinguished career.