A £28 million project to upgrade the airfield at RAF Coningsby is
now under way, supporting the station's vital role in defending
UK airspace around the clock.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has contracted
VolkerFitzpatrick to deliver improvements to the Station's Air
Operating Surfaces, including the airfield's taxiways and apron
areas. AECOM will join the project as Technical Services
Provider.
RAF Coningsby, in Lincolnshire, is one of two RAF Quick Reaction
Alert (QRA) stations which protect UK airspace, with pilots
and supporting personnel on standby 24 hours a
day.
The Station hosts two frontline combat-ready squadrons,
3 (Fighter) Squadron and XI
(Fighter) Squadron, as well as 29 Squadron, which trains the
next generation of Typhoon pilots.
In a unique challenge, RAF Coningsby's role as a QRA
station means its Typhoons must be ready to launch at all
times, meaning all construction works will have to be
carefully planned around the airfield's 24-hour alert
commitment.
Dan Wilmott, DIO Project Manager, said:
This is an important investment in one of the UK's most
operationally significant air stations. RAF Coningsby's role in
defending UK airspace never stops, so delivering these
improvements while maintaining the constant readiness of the
Quick Reaction Alert has required careful planning.
We're proud to be supporting the personnel
at RAF Coningsby with upgraded facilities that will
serve the station for years to come.
Group Captain Andy Hampshire, Station Commander,
said:
Defence of the nation is the RAF's highest priority, QRA is at
the very forefront of that task, so it's vitally
important that there is no hindrance caused by this
refurbishment. I'm very grateful to Defence colleagues and
industry partners for the seamless way this project has been
undertaken.
Keith Maplethorpe, Operations Director at VolkerFitzpatrick,
said:
We are proud to play a key role in delivering these vital
upgrades at RAF Coningsby. This investment strengthens one of the
UK's most strategically important air stations, ensuring that its
teams can continue to protect our airspace around the clock.
The project is expected to be completed in October 2026.
