Airbus has unveiled the first images of a new military helicopter that could be built in Broughton - as more details are revealed on the potential jobs.

The Ministry of Defence plans to retire Airbus Puma HC2 medium helicopter fleet in the middle of this decade and Airbus believes a military variant of the H175 is fully capable of fulfilling the MoD鈥檚 needs.

This month Business Live revealed that if they secured a contract the helicopter plant would be built at the wing factory at Broughton - creating hundreds of new jobs.

A source in the aviation sector said it would bring around 400 direct jobs to the site with the opportunity over time for more roles in the local supply chain.

The site has lost around 2,000 jobs over the pandemic - with total staffing numbers going from 6,000 to around 4,000.

Airbus released new images of the military helicopter - and said: 鈥淭he military H175M can meet the 海角视频鈥檚 New Military Helicopter requirement in the coming competition while transforming the country鈥檚 helicopter industry - bringing value and prosperity to the 海角视频.鈥

Airbus H175M being put forward as 海角视频's New Military Helicopter

H175M would be different to the civil helicopter - built at Marignane, France - with significant military customisation.

The main competition for any MoD deal will come from Italian multinational Leonardo and US giant Lockheed Martin, who could put forward the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.