Royal Navy's Merlin helicopter maintenance contract extended in £165m deal
The Royal Navy's 54 Merlin helicopters will be given continued maintenance under a £165m deal, the Ministry of Defence has announced.
The deal between the Government and Leonardo will keep 200 jobs at the company's helicopters facility in Yeovil, and 800 around the UK to help with the wider supply chain.
The maritime service currently has a fleet of 30 Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Merlin Mk4 amphibious and battlefield lift aircraft.
"Our fleet of world-class Merlin helicopters provide the Royal Navy with a vital advantage over our adversaries, keeping our carrier strike groups safe and enhancing their battle-winning capability," said Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle.
"This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining cutting-edge defence capabilities that keep us safe, while utilising defence as an engine for economic growth, supporting 1,000 well-paid jobs across the UK."
The Merlin Mk2 helicopters, which can travel at speeds of up to 160 knots, primarily hunt submarines and operate search and rescue missions.
The aircraft can intercept drug traffickers and pirates as well as support humanitarian relief efforts.
It has several weapons on board, such as Sting-Ray Torpedoes and M3M .50 calibre machine guns.
They also contain highly powerful radars that are used for airborne surveillance and control.
The Mk2 helicopters came into service more than 10 years ago, and were last deployed to the High North for Operation Clockwork.
Throughout Op Clockwork, the Commando Helicopter Force aircrew trained using the helicopter in the harshest conditions imaginable to test its abilities.
Nigel Colman, managing director, Leonardo Helicopters UK, said: "We're extremely proud to have provided the UK's AW101 Merlin fleet from the home of British helicopters in Yeovil.
"Working closely with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy, we're keeping the Merlin fleet supported and available, so it's ready to fly whenever and wherever it's called upon."
The adaptable helicopter will next be involved in the Carrier Strike Group deployment this year.
The agreement will also support jobs at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.
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