Options had been considered to relocate the fabrication
work for future AW159 helicopters orders – the export
version of the Wildcat helicopters already in service
with the British Army and Royal Navy – overseas.
After careful joint analysis with the Ministry of
Defence, Leonardo Helicopters in Yeovil has confirmed
that it will carry out all future fabrication for the
AW159 helicopter in the UK, with much of this work being
undertaken at its Somerset facility – an agreement that
will sustain 40 highly skilled jobs across the UK-based
supply chain.
Wildcat is a highly versatile aircraft, capable of a wide
a range of tasks over land and sea. The Royal Navy’s
maritime Wildcat forms the core of the UK’s Frigate and
Destroyer aviation capability and performs tasks
including Anti-Surface and Submarine Warfare, force
protection, transport and the vital information,
surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance
(ISTAR) role. Similarly, the Army variant performs
reconnaissance, command and control, force protection,
and transport roles in a wide variety of environments.
Minister for Defence Procurement said:
I am delighted that a solution for UK-based fabrication
for the AW159 helicopter has been identified between
the MOD and Leonardo Helicopters. An agreement that
secures Yeovil as the home of AW159 and Wildcat
production and maintenance in the UK.
This work has not only helped sustain 40 of highly
skilled jobs within the UK, but will act as a positive
boost for the company and, through improved
cost-effectiveness, their export customers. I would
also like to pay tribute to MP, who has worked
tirelessly to secure this great result.
Over a decade ago the MOD bought, as part of the 2006
Wildcat (then Future Lynx) demonstration and
manufacturing contract, a number of specialised jigs and
tooling for the fabrication of the AW159 Wildcat
Helicopters. These essential parts are used to ensure
airframe alignment, mould, patterns and manufacturing
tools and gauges. These will now be used by Leonardo to
carry out the fabrication work in the UK.
The MOD’s continuing commitment to the Wildcat was also
highlighted earlier this year, when a £271 million five
year deal was signed to deliver a range of
support and training services for the UK’s entire fleet
of 62 AW159 Wildcat helicopters, securing 500 jobs at
Leonardo’s facilities in Yeovil and Royal Naval Air
Station Yeovilton.
