- £879 million contract awarded to Boeing Defence UK to keep
the British Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters
mission-ready.
- Deal brings support for both helicopter fleets together under
one arrangement for the first time, improving efficiency and
value for the taxpayer.
- Work supports more than 1,000 UK jobs, as record government
investment makes defence an engine for growth.
More than 1,000 jobs have been secured through a new contract to
help sustain Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters.
The three-year £879 million contract has been awarded to Boeing
Defence UK to maintain and support the British Army's Apache
attack helicopters and RAF's Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
The contract brings together support for both fleets under a
single arrangement – the Rotary Wing Enterprise – for the first
time. This will improve how the aircraft are maintained, reduce
duplication and deliver better value for the taxpayer.
It comes as the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry,
, visits the Army Aviation
Centre in Hampshire to announce the contract and meet apprentices
and staff at Boeing Defence UK.
700 skilled jobs will be supported at Boeing Defence UK sites
across the UK, including at Middle Wallop, Wattisham, Odiham,
Bristol, Gosport and Yeovil. A further 500 jobs are supported
across the supply chain, including 300 at StandardAero.
The contract is another major investment made possible by the
Government's record increase in defence investment, which will
total £270 billion over this parliament and make defence an
engine for growth across Britain.
In recent weeks, the Ministry of Defence has awarded:
- A £1 billion contract for New Medium Helicopter programme,
securing over 3,000 jobs in Yeovil.
- Half a billion invested in state-of-the-art radar systems for
Britain's Typhoon jets - jets which are flying daily defensive
missions in the Middle East.
- A £100 million boost to support RAF P8 submarine hunting
aircraft - aircraft involved in exposing the recent Russian
submarine operation in and around UK waters.
- A multi-million contract with UK start-up Cambridge Aerospace
to supply new interceptor missiles and launchers to the UK Armed
Forces and Gulf partners.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, MP said:
“From the workshop to the frontline, this investment delivers for
our military, for the British people and the British defence
industry. Our workhorse Chinooks and lethal Apaches help keep our
Armed Forces safe and operating effectively while on
deployment.
“This contract shows how we're ensuring our Armed Forces have the
kit and equipment they need to keep Britain safe.
“We are investing record levels into defence, meaning no
return to the hollowed out and underfunded Armed Forces of the
past, while making defence an engine for growth.”
Boeing Defence UK will provide maintenance, technical services,
logistical support and training for both fleets. The Apache gives
the Army its crewed attack capability, while the Chinook supports
multi-service operations as the RAF's primary heavy-lift
aircraft. Together, they are essential to the UK's battlefield
effectiveness.
Sir , President of Boeing UK &
Ireland, said:
“This contract highlights the UK Government's commitment to
maintaining a world-class rotary wing capability and
strengthening the country's defence industrial base. It will help
ensure our armed forces remain equipped to meet both current and
future operational challenges with confidence and resilience.”
The UK Armed Forces boasts the Apache AH-64E aircraft – the
world's most advanced attack helicopter. Its radar can passively
geolocate threats without giving away the aircraft's position,
detecting more than 1,000 targets, classifying 256 and
prioritising the top 16 in seconds.
The UK also has Chinook helicopters which can operate in diverse
environments, from the Arctic to deserts. The aircraft primarily
support troop transport, resupply, and casualty evacuation,
carrying up to 55 troops and 10 tonnes of cargo.
The investment underlines the Government's commitment to UK
defence jobs, backed by the largest sustained increase in defence
spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6% from 2027.
