The UK’s last military helicopter factory, owned by Leonardo Helicopters, must receive a contract from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) soon to secure 3,000 jobs. The factory in Yeovil, Somerset, faces closure by the end of March if no new helicopter order is placed. Leonardo was the only bidder for the MoD's £1bn new medium helicopter contract launched in February 2024. However, delays in awarding the deal put the factory's future at risk. The bid’s "best and final offer" expires in March. A source close to the process said Leonardo needs to win the contract by January to meet deadlines. If delayed beyond March, the supply chain and pricing will need to be restarted. Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani called the contract "a cornerstone" of the company’s UK plans. He warned that delay or cancellation would lead to a "reevaluation of Leonardo’s UK presence," including investments in electronics and cybersecurity. In December, he warned Defence Secretary John Healey that delays could cause all UK investments by Leonardo to be scrapped, according to the Daily Telegraph. Despite rising defence threats from Russia and promised defence budget increases, the government’s defence investment plan is still pending. Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, said workers are anxious about their future. She said, "This uncertainty must end by confirming the order for medium-lift helicopters." An MoD spokesperson said defence spending will hit £270bn this parliament and the department is working hard on the defence investment plan to fix past underfunding and meet new challenges.