Royal Navy contract helps secure 200 jobs
A major new Royal Navy contract will help sustain 200 jobs in Somerset.
A Government announcement said a fleet of more than 50 Royal Navy helicopters will receive maintenance under a £165m contract extension with Leonardo Helicopters, supporting 1,000 UK jobs.
Leonardo, based in Yeovil, is the prime contractor, with Lockheed Martin and SERCO appointed as key sub-contractors.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, said: “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.”
The Merlin Mk2 helicopters are primarily used as submarine hunters but can also carry out search and rescue operations, intercept drug runners and support humanitarian relief efforts.
As well as benefitting Leonardo’s Yeovil plant, the agreement will support jobs at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.
Nigel Colman, managing director at 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.”
Yeovil has been an aerospace hub for 110 years, since the Westland Aircraft Works was established in 1915. Today it employs more than 3,000 people.
The plant is also producing the AW149, Leonardo’s latest generation medium multi-role battlefield helicopter, which combines advanced technologies, equipment and weapons with “unparalleled safety and performance characteristics”.
Leonardo has also had a presence in Bristol since 2011. The office is the focal point for Leonardo’s engagement with the MoD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and is the headquarters for its UK cyber and security team, with a 150-strong team.
