A Close Call: How the UK Nearly Opted for American Seahawks Over the Familiar Merlin
A recent article published by the UK Defence Journal on July 22nd, 2025, has shed light on a pivotal moment in the UK’s maritime helicopter procurement history. The piece, titled “How the UK almost bought American Seahawks over Merlins,” details a period where the Royal Navy considered acquiring the American Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk, a highly capable maritime helicopter, as an alternative to its domestically produced AgustaWestland (now Leonardo) AW101 Merlin. This fascinating insight into the decision-making process reveals the complex considerations that shape defence acquisitions and highlights the enduring strengths of the Merlin platform.
The article suggests that the Royal Navy, during its search for a multi-role naval helicopter to replace aging Sea Kings, evaluated both the American Seahawk and the British Merlin. The Seahawk, a well-established and proven platform in service with the US Navy and several other allied nations, presented a compelling option. It boasts impressive anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities, alongside a strong track record and established supply chain.
However, the UK Defence Journal’s report emphasizes that several key factors ultimately swayed the decision in favour of the Merlin. A primary consideration was the desire to maintain and develop the UK’s sovereign aerospace manufacturing capabilities. Investing in the Merlin, a helicopter designed and largely manufactured in the UK, supported a vital domestic industry, fostering technological advancement, job creation, and long-term strategic independence in a critical defence sector.
Furthermore, the Merlin platform offered a degree of flexibility and adaptability that proved highly attractive to the Royal Navy. While the Seahawk is a formidable helicopter, the Merlin, with its larger airframe, provided a greater capacity for carrying personnel, stores, and a wider array of mission equipment. This inherent versatility allowed for the development of specialized variants, such as the Mk1 for anti-submarine warfare and the Mk2 for battlefield reconnaissance and utility roles, catering to the diverse and evolving needs of the Royal Navy.
The article also touches upon the significant investment already made in the Merlin programme by the UK. The development and introduction of the Merlin had already established a robust infrastructure, including training facilities, maintenance support, and a skilled workforce. Opting for the Seahawk would have meant establishing an entirely new support network, potentially leading to duplication of effort and increased costs in the long run.
The choice between the Seahawk and the Merlin was undoubtedly a tough one, representing a classic trade-off between readily available, proven foreign technology and the strategic imperative to bolster domestic industrial capacity and tailor a platform to specific national requirements. The UK Defence Journal’s account offers valuable context, reminding us of the intricate web of economic, strategic, and operational considerations that underpin such significant defence procurements. In the end, the decision to proceed with the Merlin underscored the UK’s commitment to its own defence industry and its ability to produce world-class military equipment, a decision that continues to serve the Royal Navy effectively today.
How the UK almost bought American Seahawks over Merlins
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