The UK government has announced a significant contract with Leonardo to provide integrated support for the Royal Navy’s fleet of Merlin helicopters. The deal, valued at over £165 million (approximately $217 million), aims to sustain all 30 Merlin HM Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Merlin HC Mk4/Mk4A transport variants for a period of up to two years.
This latest agreement is similar to previous contracts awarded to Leonardo, encompassing key areas of maintenance and support. The project will involve depth maintenance, the provision of spare supplies, training for aircrew and repair teams, technical support, and proactive management of obsolescence, ensuring that the Merlin helicopters remain operationally ready.
The British government’s involvement in this initiative is expected to support around 1,000 jobs and apprenticeships across the country, with 200 positions based at Leonardo’s facility in Yeovil. The remaining roles will be distributed across military stations located in Somerset, Cornwall, and the broader local supply chain.
Leonardo Helicopters UK Managing Director Nigel Colman emphasized the company’s collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Navy, stating that they are focused on keeping the Merlin fleet supported and available for operational deployment. Colman further mentioned that they are also considering how the Merlin fleet will be supported in the future under the Rotary Wing Enterprise (RWE) agreement, which aims to enhance support across the entire UK rotary wing fleet.
The new contract with Leonardo comes on the heels of other recent initiatives to upgrade the Merlin fleet. In October, the Royal Navy launched a project aimed at modernizing the Merlin fleet base in Cornwall. This infrastructure project is set to continue until 2028 and will focus on enhancing hangars, operational grounds, and training facilities at the location.
Additionally, six months prior, the British government entered into a contract with Safran to prolong engine support for the Merlin fleet. This agreement will provide six years of service for the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca RTM 322 engines that power these medium-sized helicopters.
