GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) announced that Leonardo has selected its CT7-2E1 engine to power 23 AW149 helicopters for the UK Ministry of Defence's New Medium Helicopter program.

The agreement includes spare engines, spare parts, long-term services, and additional support.

The CT7-2E1 is currently used by most operators of the Leonardo AW149 and AW189 helicopter types. More than 300 CT7-2E1 engines have been delivered, accumulating over 500,000 flight hours worldwide. The engine is part of GE Aerospace's broader T700/CT7 family, which has logged more than 130 million flight hours across more than 25,000 engines delivered globally, powering 15 types of military and civilian aircraft.

"We are pleased that the CT7-2E1 has been selected to power the UK NMH helicopter fleet and look forward to providing world-class support for these engines as well as all the T700/CT7 engines operated by the UK armed forces," said Breanne Escalante, general manager of Rotorcraft & Turboprop Engines at GE Aerospace.

As part of the program, GE Aerospace will support Leonardo in delivering benefit programs under the UK's Social Value Model Act. This includes engine building, maintenance, and overhaul at StandardAero's Gosport facility, as well as engine component manufacturing at Barnes Aerospace's Newton Abbot facility. GE Aerospace will also engage its facilities in Cheltenham, Cardiff, Prestwick, and Gloucester for apprenticeship programs, educational outreach, and environmental sustainability initiatives.