'Vote of confidence': MOD agrees £190m Airbus deal to boost RAF's strategic airlift fleet
The Ministry of Defence has signed a £190m contract extension with Airbus to deliver a 30% improvement in the availability of the Royal Air Force's tactical and strategic airlift fleet.
The 31-month extension to the medium-term contract will see Airbus continue its maintenance, repair and support for the RAF's A400M Atlas fleet from its UK Support Centre at RAF Brize Norton.
The contract extension through to April 2029 will mean that there will be a significant boost to operational capability and will increase the number of fully capable aircraft available each day from 10 to 13 by the end of next year.
The cornerstone of the UK's air mobility capability
Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard said that the deal was a "vote of confidence" for the industry and Brize Norton.
"By boosting availability, we're strengthening the RAF's ability to conduct global operations and deliver on Nato commitments when it matters most," Mr Pollard said.
The deal comes after "intensive" negotiations led by a small team from the A400M In-Service Support Delivery Team within the NAD Group at Brize Norton with the RAF, industry partners and Airbus.
The A400M Atlas is a cornerstone of the UK's air mobility capability, which is involved in supporting operations ranging from humanitarian relief to rapid troop deployment.
The continued support at Brize Norton will mean that the fleet is ready to meet the demands required without interruption.
"Airbus is proud to be a trusted partner to the Ministry of Defence, and this contract extension reinforces that commitment," Kata Escott, Airbus Defence and Space UK's managing director, said.
"The A400M Atlas is the backbone of air mobility. Our highly skilled teams work side by side with Royal Air Force personnel and are fully focused on enhancing operational readiness, keeping the fleet mission-ready."
Air Commodore Si Young, Head Air Mobility at the NAD Group, said: "This contract will deliver improvements to the A400M fleet availability, building on the growth that we have delivered over recent years and giving our Armed Forces the capability they need."
A400M Atlas aircraft
The A400M Atlas, which has a 42.4m wingspan, is a strategic airlift aircraft powered by its four turboprop engines.
The aircraft entered into service with the RAF more than a decade ago, and it is designed to go where other aircraft cannot.
It can fly at up to 40,000ft, while it can hold anything from a Chinook helicopter to 37 tonnes of freight.
It can take off and land on beaches or rough terrain meaning it is indispensable for missions in remote areas.
Last month, the transport aircraft landed on one of the most inaccessible volcanic islands on Earth, delivering personnel and supplies to a key Nato exercise.
It delivered a detachment of Royal Marines, their US counterparts and two Joint Light Tactical Vehicles as part of Operation Atlantic City on Jan Mayen, roughly 1,000km off the coast of Norway.
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