Defence Minister announced the £293
million contract with Leonardo Helicopters during a visit
to the company’s site in Yeovil where some of the vital
work on the aircraft will take place. The Apache AH MK1
Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract will maintain
the fleet until it’s out of service date in March 2024.
The Apache MK1 is being incrementally replaced by the
latest Apache AH-64E aircraft that will begin entering
service with the British Army in 2022. The new AH-64E model
will have improved sensors and avionics as well as greater
performance that will enable the Army to sustain its
battle-winning capabilities in future operations.
Defence Minister said:
The Apache has provided years of crucial battlefield
support to UK and coalition troops in operations in Libya
and Afghanistan. This multi-million-pound contract will
ensure our Armed Forces continue to benefit from this
vital capability as we integrate the latest Apache model
into service in 2022.
The IOS contract secured by Defence Equipment and Support,
the MOD’s procurement agency, includes deep maintenance,
repair and overhaul of the MK1 aircraft as well as the
provision of technical and spares support. The contract has
been awarded in three tranches, to maintain value for
money, with this latest investment covering the final five
years of the fleet in service.
This contract reaffirms the MOD’s committed investment in
Leonardo’s Yeovil site. Last May, the MOD announced the
delivery of the first Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters
designed for Royal Marine aircraft carrier operations. This
saw the fruition of a £388 million contract supporting 175
skilled jobs in Yeovil and a further 500 across the UK
supply chain. The MOD also provides Leonardo with the £271
million Wildcat support and training contract securing 500
jobs in Yeovil.
The South West benefits from MOD expenditure of £920 per
person each year and a huge investment in local industry
and commerce of £5.1 billion. Defence spending in the
region supports one in every 60 jobs – the highest
proportion of jobs supported by MOD expenditure in the UK,
totalling 33,500 jobs.
Director Helicopters at Defence Equipment and Support, the
MOD’s procurement agency, Graham Russell said:
This latest multi-million-pound investment in the
existing Apache fleet not only demonstrates our positive
collaboration with industry in achieving value for money,
but also ensures that these battle-proven helicopters
remain in-service and readily available for the British
Army until their out of service date.
