World’s Largest Military Helicopter Manufacturers: Sikorsky’s 101 Deliveries and the T129 on Two Continents (2026)
2025 gave the military helicopter market its clearest snapshot in years. Among America’s big three, the volume race went to Sikorsky — the H-60 line alone delivered 101 Black Hawks and Seahawks. Boeing was the fastest grower, up roughly 22 percent, and closed the year with Poland’s $4.7 billion order for 96 Apaches; Bell was the only major builder to deliver fewer aircraft as AH-1Z exports taper and V-22 production winds down. Across the Atlantic, Leonardo seized the European initiative in February 2026, winning the UK’s New Medium Helicopter competition with the AW149. And Türkiye now sits in this league as a proven exporter: the T129 ATAK flies in the Philippines and Nigeria, the GÖKBEY utility helicopter is in serial production, and the 10-tonne T929 ATAK-2 is in flight test. Following our fighter jet manufacturers file, Envanter Medya’s latest research compares the world’s military helicopter producers across deliveries, orders, user base and technology.
Editorial note: This ranking is an editorial research product compiled by Envanter Medya from publicly available data; it is not an official international ranking. Sources and methodology are explained at the end.
The research at a glance
“Largest” by which measure?
The military rotorcraft market is more crowded than the fighter business and far less visible. Attack helicopters (Apache, Ka-52, T129), medium utility (Black Hawk, NH90, AW149, GÖKBEY), heavy lift (CH-47, CH-53K) and naval types (Seahawk, AW159) are separate segments — so “largest” shifts with the yardstick: annual deliveries, active orders, user base or segment coverage. We measured each separately.
By delivery tempo: Sikorsky’s H-60 line leads
Per 2025 data compiled by Forecast International, Sikorsky delivered the most units in the US military rotorcraft market: 101 Black Hawks and Seahawks from the H-60 family. Boeing handed over 61 AH-64E Apaches (19 new-build, 42 remanufactured), 14 CH-47 Chinooks and 9 MH-139 Grey Wolfs, closing the year up about 22 percent. Bell was the only major builder to decline as AH-1Z exports taper and V-22 production nears completion. The same source projects the three US builders will produce nearly 600 aircraft over the next three years — with Sikorsky alone taking roughly 40 percent of total market production value through 2030.
Source: Forecast International (March 2026), US deliveries. European builders (Airbus, Leonardo) do not publish military/civil delivery splits at this granularity; no verifiable data exists for Russian production.
By order book: a record CH-53K deal and the Polish wave
The two biggest helicopter contracts of 2025-26 both came off American lines. In September 2025, Sikorsky signed a five-year, $10.9 billion contract — the largest in the program’s history — for up to 99 CH-53K King Stallions for the US Marine Corps; 20 CH-53Ks have been delivered to date with 63 airframes in production. Boeing followed in November 2025 with Poland’s order for 96 AH-64Es ($4.7 billion, deliveries from 2028). In Europe, Leonardo won the UK’s New Medium Helicopter competition in February 2026 with 23 AW149s plus four simulators. And in India, HAL booked orders for 156 Prachand light combat helicopters in March 2025, worth roughly $7.3 billion — the largest single active attack-helicopter order in the world.
Different program types shown on one chart: the CH-53K figure is the maximum of a five-year framework contract; the T129 row is completed export deliveries. The Turkish program is marked separately.
Verified production, orders and deliveries
| Company | Country | Key platforms | Verified production/order indicator | Data type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) | USA | UH-60/MH-60, CH-53K | 101 H-60s delivered in 2025; record $10.9B contract for up to 99 CH-53Ks; 20 CH-53Ks delivered, 63 in production | R |
| Boeing | USA | AH-64E, CH-47F, MH-139 | 61 Apaches + 14 Chinooks + 9 MH-139s in 2025; 96 Apaches ordered by Poland ($4.7B); annual growth ~22% | R |
| Airbus Helicopters | Europe | H145M, H225M, Tiger, NH90 | Among the world’s largest helicopter makers; military line growing on H145M/H225M orders; NH90 consortium partner. Military delivery split published only in limited form | T |
| Leonardo | Italy | AW149, AW101, AW159 | Won the UK NMH competition: 23 AW149s + 4 simulators (February 2026); AW149 also built in Poland | R |
| Bell (Textron) | USA | AH-1Z, UH-1Y, V-280 | 2025 deliveries declined (AH-1Z exports and V-22 line winding down); leads the US Army’s next-generation FLRAA program with the V-280 Valor | R/T |
| HAL | India | LCH Prachand, Dhruv | 156 LCH Prachand on order (~$7.3B, March 2025); over 300 Dhruv built | R/T |
| TUSAŞ 🇹🇷 | Türkiye | T129 ATAK, T625 GÖKBEY, T929 | T129: serial deliveries to Turkish forces + exports to the Philippines (6) and Nigeria (6); GÖKBEY in serial production with first deliveries made; 10-tonne T929 ATAK-2 in flight test | R |
| Russian Helicopters | Russia | Mi-17, Mi-28, Ka-52 | No reliable production data published since sanctions | D |
| AVIC | China | Z-10, Z-20 | Production figures not published | D |
Data types: R = official/company statement, T = credible industry reporting, D = insufficient data. Of the 61 Apache deliveries, 42 were remanufactured airframes; new-build and remanufacture are distinct processes.
By user base: the Black Hawk family is far ahead
Approximate figures (T label); licensed production and second-hand transfers excluded. The Turkish program is marked separately.
The Envanter Medya Composite Index: EM-GDPI
Nine criteria — production 25, revenue 15, exports 15, user countries 10, diversity 10, capacity 10, orders 5, technology 5, growth 5 — feed a 100-point editorial composite. Russian Helicopters and AVIC were not scored because their production data is not transparent — no data, no score.
An editorial composite, not an official ranking. Russian Helicopters and AVIC were not scored. The Turkish company is marked separately.
| Company | Production (25) | Revenue (15) | Exports (15) | Users (10) | Other 5 criteria (35) | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sikorsky | 22.5 | 13.5 | 12.0 | 10.0 | 30.0 | 88.0 |
| Airbus Helicopters | 20.0 | 12.0 | 13.5 | 9.0 | 28.5 | 83.0 |
| Boeing | 20.0 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 8.0 | 27.0 | 82.0 |
| Leonardo | 17.5 | 10.5 | 12.0 | 8.0 | 28.5 | 76.5 |
| Bell | 15.0 | 10.5 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 28.5 | 69.0 |
| HAL | 15.0 | 7.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 32.5 | 61.0 |
| TUSAŞ 🇹🇷 | 10.0 | 4.5 | 7.5 | 3.0 | 30.5 | 55.5 |
What the index says: Sikorsky’s lead rests on the H-60’s twin dominance in tempo and user base, plus the record CH-53K contract. Airbus Helicopters ranks on breadth of military product line and export geography, Boeing on the Apache-Chinook duo’s global footprint. TUSAŞ’s 55.5 is one of the highest “new player” scores in this series: the T129’s exports to two continents, GÖKBEY’s entry into serial production and the T929’s climb into the 10-tonne class all registered in the production, export and technology criteria.
Where does Türkiye stand?
Türkiye is now a proven exporter in the attack segment: the T129 ATAK has completed deliveries of six helicopters each to the Philippines and Nigeria — the first Turkish aviation program to export helicopters to two continents. Together with the Turkish Armed Forces fleet, T129 production has passed one hundred. In utility, the T625 GÖKBEY is in serial production with first deliveries made to security forces — and the critical threshold was crossed in propulsion: TEI’s TS1400 turboshaft flies in the GÖKBEY, putting Türkiye among the few countries flying an indigenous helicopter engine. The third step is the 10-tonne class: the T929 ATAK-2 continues flight testing.
Where is Türkiye behind?
Let the data speak: TUSAŞ’s annual helicopter output sits well below Sikorsky’s single line (101/year), and the user base is three countries against the Black Hawk’s thirty-plus. Türkiye has no product in the heavy-lift class (CH-47, CH-53K equivalents), and the T129 still flies on the licensed LHTEC CTS800 — the indigenous TS1400 serves the GÖKBEY class for now. Against that, three data points support optimism: proven exports in the attack segment, the TS1400 engine threshold crossed, and the climb to heavier tonnage with the T929. Türkiye also sits inside the Black Hawk’s licensed production chain through the T70 program.
How this research was prepared
Data year: Delivery data 2025 (Forecast International, March 2026 compilation); contract announcements January 2025 – August 2026. Scope: Nine groups producing military rotorcraft; tilt-rotors (V-280, V-22) noted in builder context. Missing data: Airbus and Leonardo military/civil delivery splits are limited; no data for Russian Helicopters and AVIC; nothing estimated. EM-GDPI: Nine criteria scored 0-10 and weighted; relative within the group and editorial.
| Company | Data reliability | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sikorsky, Boeing, Leonardo, TUSAŞ | A | Official delivery/contract announcements current |
| Airbus, Bell, HAL | B | Program data partly public; military split limited |
| Russian Helicopters, AVIC | D | No reliable current data; excluded from the index |
Frequently asked questions
Which company is the world’s largest military helicopter manufacturer?
It depends on the measure: Sikorsky led 2025 deliveries (101 H-60s) and the user base; Boeing grew fastest at ~22 percent. Sikorsky tops the Envanter Medya composite index.
How many Black Hawks were delivered in 2025?
Sikorsky delivered 101 H-60 family aircraft — Black Hawks and Seahawks — in 2025, the highest single-line total in the sector.
How many Apaches is Poland buying?
Boeing announced in November 2025 it will build 96 AH-64E Apaches for Poland, a deal valued at $4.7 billion with deliveries beginning in 2028.
Why is the CH-53K contract a record?
The five-year contract signed in September 2025 covers up to 99 CH-53K King Stallions with a $10.9 billion ceiling — the largest single contract in Sikorsky’s history.
Which countries operate the T129 ATAK?
Türkiye, the Philippines (6) and Nigeria (6). The T129 is the first Turkish helicopter exported to two continents; total production has passed one hundred.
Is the GÖKBEY in serial production?
Yes. The T625 GÖKBEY is in serial production with first deliveries made — and TEI’s indigenous TS1400 turboshaft flies in it.
Where does the T929 ATAK-2 stand?
The 10-tonne T929 ATAK-2 continues flight testing, targeting the heavy attack segment with nearly twice the T129’s takeoff weight.
What is the UK’s new medium helicopter?
Leonardo’s AW149 won the UK New Medium Helicopter competition in February 2026: 23 helicopters plus four simulators, worth about £1 billion.
What is India’s 156-helicopter order?
HAL booked contracts in March 2025 for 156 LCH Prachand light combat helicopters, worth roughly $7.3 billion — the largest active attack-helicopter order in the world.
Why did Bell decline?
Tapering AH-1Z exports and the winding down of V-22 Osprey production cut 2025 deliveries; Bell’s center of gravity has shifted to the US Army’s next-generation FLRAA program and the V-280 Valor.
How many military helicopters does Russia build a year?
No reliable public data exists. This research declines to publish unverifiable figures; Russian Helicopters was excluded from the index for that reason.
Does Türkiye build Black Hawks?
Yes — S-70i Black Hawk airframes are license-built in Türkiye under the T70 program. See the Defense Atlas for platform profiles.
Sources and methodology notes
This study is an editorial research product prepared by Envanter Medya by cross-checking publicly available official company data, institutional reports, contract and delivery records and industry sources. Principal sources:
- Forecast International (March 2026) — 2025 US military rotorcraft deliveries: 101 H-60, 61 AH-64E, 14 CH-47, 9 MH-139; market projections
- Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky official release (September 2025) — up to 99 CH-53Ks, $10.9 billion
- Boeing announcement (November 2025) — 96 AH-64Es for Poland, $4.7 billion, deliveries from 2028
- Aerospace Global News (February 2026) — Leonardo AW149 wins the UK NMH competition: 23 helicopters + 4 simulators
- TUSAŞ official data — T129 export deliveries, GÖKBEY serial production, T929 flight test
- SIPRI Top 100 Fact Sheet (December 2025) — 2024 defense revenues
Last updated: August 24, 2026. This is a living research page, updated as delivery and contract announcements arrive. The next file in the series examines the world’s largest submarine builders. For the full series, see the 2026 Global Defense Industry Report.
