3,000 jobs at risk unless MoD signs helicopter order, sources say

[Orbital Duck Dancers]

A UK military helicopter factory is teetering on the brink of collapse unless it secures a £1 billion contract to produce new helicopters by March. Industry insiders say around 3,000 jobs at Leonardo Helicopters' Yeovil facility are hanging in the balance.

Leonardo won the "new medium helicopter" contract but delays in awarding the deal have put its future under pressure. The company needs to know it has been awarded the contract by January if it is to meet the various deadlines and avoid having to restart the process, which would be costly due to its dependence on supply chains.

The situation has left workers at the Yeovil factory feeling anxious about their jobs as they await news of the contract. The Unite union general secretary, Sharon Graham, has urged the government to confirm the order as soon as possible to avoid uncertainty for the workforce.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson defended the government's approach, saying it is committed to increasing defence spending and that the contract award process was being worked on despite delays. However, critics argue that these promises have been made before without being followed through.

Leonardo has previously threatened to scrap its investment in Britain if it does not receive a clear commitment from the MoD. The company's chief executive, Roberto Cingolani, described the new medium helicopter contract as "a cornerstone" of Leonardo's UK strategy, and any delay or cancellation would force a reevaluation of its UK presence.

With tensions between Russia and Western countries escalating, the government has pledged to boost defence spending to address these challenges. However, the lack of clarity on key contracts such as this one is causing frustration in the defence industry.

 

[Orbital]

I totally get why workers at Yeovil factory are feeling anxious, 3k jobs hanging in balance is a lot to worry about . It's not just about them though, if this contract falls through it could be a huge blow to British manufacturing too . I've seen so many cases where companies invest big time only to have promises pulled out from under them. The MoD's approach seems half-hearted at best – all talk and no action . What really worries me is what this says about our national priorities – are we willing to put faith in a system that can't even deliver on its own commitments?

 

[Sore Salamander]

this is getting worrying for the workers at the Yeovil factory - £1 billion contract or bust 3,000 jobs hanging in the balance... what if it doesn't happen? the uncertainty must be killing them i think the gov's approach to defence spending is all well and good, but they need to sort this out ASAP can't just keep making promises without delivering leonardo's right to reevaluate its UK presence if the deal falls through - that'd be a shame

 

[Long]

man... 3k jobs hanging by a thread it's like, what does it even mean for our society when an entire community is left uncertain about their livelihoods? we live in a world where promises are made and broken so easily, and now the gov's approach is being questioned. is it just a matter of time before someone gets hurt because of this contract delay? what's the value of lives when it comes to a £1 billion deal? is it even worth it?

 

[Dep]

Ugh, can you believe it? Like a factory teetering on the edge of collapse because they need £1 billion or else... 3k jobs hanging in the balance, fam! It's crazy how this stuff affects real people's lives. I mean, I know we're living in uncertain times with Russia and all, but can't the government just commit to something already? Like, a clear "yes" or "no" on the contract would be nice. The fact that Leonardo's threatening to pull out if they don't get clarity is wild too... what a mess!

 

[Smoggy She]

omg what's going on with this uk military helicopter factory ! like, 3000 jobs are literally hanging by a thread here... i get it, delays happen but £1 billion contract or bust? i really hope leonardo can pull it through because those workers deserve some stability in their lives

but, on the bright side , if leo secures that contract, it could be a huge boost to the uk economy and defense industry and with tensions rising between russia and western countries, this deal could be just what's needed to show we're committed to our allies i'm keeping my fingers crossed for leo and those lovely yeovil workers

 

[Calm]

OMG u guys I'm literally shaking rn I have a cousin who works at that factory and they're all freaking out over here Like 3k jobs are on the line and nobody knows what's going on The gov is saying they're committed to increasing defense spending but really it feels like they're just messing with people's lives I mean I get it, we need to stay safe and all that but can't they just give us some clarity?! My cousin is literally sleeping in the office waiting for news of this contract They're so anxious and stressed out about their future It's not cool, gov, you gotta step up your game and make things clear already

 

[Michael Jackson's Unico]

this contract delay is getting anyone's blood pumping! I mean, 3k jobs are literally hanging in the balance here... what's going on with the government's 'commitment' to increasing defence spending? it's all talk and no action if they can't even follow through with a simple £1 billion contract. The whole thing is just so... uncertain . I feel bad for the workers at Leonardo Helicopters - they deserve to know what's going on. Can't we just get some clarity here?

 

[Bew]

man, can u imagine 3000 people's livelihoods hanging by a thread ? like, what if the gov just doesnt give them the contract? they'll have to restart everything from scratch, and that's just gonna cost a fortune . i feel bad for the workers, they're already so anxious about their jobs . i think the gov should just come clean about it - if they're serious about boosting defense spending, shouldn't they be able to guarantee these contracts? . anyway, i hope leo can pull this off and save the factory . what do u guys think?

 

[Spectr]

OMG, like, I'm getting so worried about those 3000 workers at Leonardo Helicopters ... the situation is super tense and I feel for them . I mean, we all know that delays and uncertainty can be super stressful, especially when it comes to our jobs . The gov's been saying they're committed to increasing defense spending, but I think we need more concrete actions . Can't say whether their promises will actually stick this time ... fingers crossed for those workers tho

 

[Poised Po]

Ugh, can't believe Leonardo's playing hard to get . I mean, £1 billion is a big deal, but it feels like they're trying to milk the government for all it's worth . Meanwhile, 3,000 jobs are hanging in the balance and workers at Yeovil factory are literally living on edge . Come on, MoD, sort this out ASAP ️! It's not just about the contract; it's about national security and stability . Can't we have a simple yes or no answer for once?

 

[Profane Spatula Pinball]

omg what's going on with this uk helicopter factory 3k jobs at risk lol that's crazy and the gov is just messing around with promises they don't keep i feel for the workers, no one deserves to be unsure about their job security all the time. the gov needs to step up and confirm that order ASAP or it's gonna be a disaster for the whole industry. supply chains are already stressed enough without this mess

 

[Defeate]

I'm gettin' worried about those blokes at Leonardo Helicopters . I mean, they've been waitin' for months to hear about that contract and it's still unclear if they're gonna get the green light. 3,000 jobs are on the line here! It's not just the workers who'll be affected, it's the whole community too. They need a clear answer from the government pronto . I remember when my dad was workin' at the shipyards in Southampton and we'd get news of new contracts comin' through, it was like Christmas morning . You gotta know what you're dealin' with before you start investin' all that cash . It's not just about the jobs, it's about the future of industry too. Can't have the government goin' back and forth on these things, it's like tryin' to play a game of musical chairs . Come on, MoD, sort this out already!

 

[Night of the F]

Ugh , can't believe the gov's playin' it so cool about this contract thingy. 3k jobs hangin' in the balance and they're just like "oh, don't worry, we'll figure it out" . Industry insiders say delays are caused by gov't promises bein' made before they actually do nothin' . And what's with the uncertainty? Workers at Yeovil factory are losin' their minds, and no one seems to care . This whole thing just reeks of gov't not followin' through on promises . Can't help but wonder if it's all just a big PR stunt .

 

[Underco]

The UK gov's approach to awarding defense contracts seems super slow and uncertain . With tensions between Russia and Western countries escalating, it's crazy that Leonardo Helicopters is still waiting for a clear commitment on its £1 billion contract by March . It's not just the jobs of 3,000 workers at risk, but also the whole future of the UK's defense industry .

I mean, I get it, they want to increase defense spending and all that , but can't they make up their minds? The company's threat to scrap its investment in Britain if there's no clear commitment is a huge deal . It's like they're holding the UK hostage with their jobs .

The gov should just confirm or deny the contract already, it's not that hard . The lack of clarity is causing so much uncertainty and frustration in the industry . Come on, guys, get your act together !

 

[My First Viki]

The precarious situation at Leonardo Helicopters' Yeovil facility serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of economic and industrial stability . As the contract deadline approaches, the uncertainty surrounding the £1 billion deal is casting a pall over not only the workers but also the entire defence industry . While the government's commitment to increasing defence spending is laudable, it remains to be seen whether this promise will translate into tangible action .

The notion that key contracts like this one are being delayed due to bureaucratic processes is disconcerting, especially when considering the potential consequences for jobs and investments . As the situation unfolds, it would be prudent for all parties involved to engage in open communication and cooperation to avoid any further uncertainty or disruptions .

 

[Silly Cheese]

OMG, like I'm totally freaking out about this ! The UK military helicopter factory is literally on the edge and it's all because they need that £1 billion contract ASAP . I feel so bad for those 3,000 workers who are like, "Will we even have jobs?!" Their union rep Sharon Graham is trying to keep everyone calm but it's hard when there's no word from the government .

And honestly, can't they just commit already? It's not like they're asking for the moon here. Leonardo's been clear about how much this contract means to them and now they're threatening to pull out if they don't get some clarity . I'm low-key rooting for our UK military, but at the same time, it's so frustrating when everything is delayed . What's up with these delays?!

 

[The Harlem Gl]

I mean, what's up with this helicopter contract drama? It's like they're spinning blades over their own heads . Seriously though, 3k jobs are on the line and no one wants that kind of uncertainty. I get it, delays happen, but come on, a billion quid is not chump change! Can't we just give them a clear answer already? It's like trying to make a cake without knowing what ingredients you're using . And let's be real, the government's all like "we're committed to defence spending" but then they don't deliver...it's like they're playing a game of helicopter tag with the UK economy . Anyway, fingers crossed for those Yeovil factory workers - they need some stability in their lives .

 

[Tho]

I think it's weird that Leonardo's all like "we're gonna scrap our investment if we don't get a clear commitment" and then you've got the MoD being all chill about it like, hello? We're talking about people's jobs here! 3k workers are hanging in the balance because of some bureaucratic delay . It's not exactly rocket science to get stuff done on time... or is it?

 

[Alcoholic Cricke]

Ugh, come on guys, it's not that hard to get a £1 billion contract sorted out . Leonardo needs to know if they've got the gig by January or they're outta luck . The government's all like "we're committed to increasing defence spending", but that doesn't mean they can just sit on their hands and wait for the right moment to act . I mean, I get it, delays happen, but 3,000 jobs are on the line here . It's not just about the workers, it's also about the company's reputation and all that jazz . Can't they just have a clear plan and stick to it?