Wildcats To Continue To Be Produced In The UK

The MOD has announced that work on AW159 Wildcat helicopters will remain in the United Kingdom. 

After options were considered to relocate orders, Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said the work will continue to be produced by Leonardo Helicopters in the UK.

The helicopters are already in service with the British Army and Royal Navy and the agreement will sustain 40 highly skilled jobs across the UK-based supply chain. 

Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said:

"I am delighted that a solution for UK-based fabrication for the AW159 helicopter has been identified between the MOD and Leonardo Helicopters." 

The Wildcat is capable of a wide a range of tasks over land and sea, which the MOD bought back in 2006 as part of the Wildcat (then Future Lynx) demonstration and manufacturing contract.

Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin added:​​​​​​ 

"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." ​​​​​​  

In January 2017 the MOD signed a five-year deal with Leonardo Helicopters, worth £271 million, to provide support and training for all 62 AW159 Wildcat helicopters, currently in service with the Royal Navy and Army Air Corps, and protect around 500 UK jobs.