France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the United Kingdom agreed on November 19, 2020, for the development of a new generation of general-purpose helicopters. A letter of intent was signed on this issue through the video conferencing method. The five countries will first work on modernization of existing fleets of rotor aircraft.

The current general-purpose helicopters in the Allies’ inventory expire in 2035-2040. Experts from the five countries will come up with a collaboration plan that envisions requirements and production stages to produce an entirely new helicopter.

NATO estimates that at least 1,000 of the helicopters used by allied countries operationally will soon be taken out of inventory. The next generation of helicopters is also expected to enter inventory in the 2035-2040s.