The UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has reached a £165m ($213.08m) Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) contract extension to maintain the Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters.
The agreement is with Leonardo as the main contractor and Lockheed Martin and Serco as subcontractors.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The two-year extension of the contract encompasses 30 Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Mk4/Mk4A amphibious lift aircraft, which are used in transporting Royal Marines.
This contract ensures ongoing deep maintenance, the provision of spare parts, training for aircrew and maintainers, and a range of technical support services.
The maintenance work will be carried out at Royal Naval Air Stations Yeovilton and Culdrose, as well as at Leonardo’s helicopter facility in Yeovil.
UK Defence Procurement and Industry Minister 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, supporting 1,000 well-paid jobs across the UK.”
The Merlin Mk2 helicopters, equipped with Sting-Ray Torpedoes and M3M .50 calibre machine guns, help in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations for the Royal Navy.
The aircraft also provide airborne surveillance and control with their advanced radars, particularly when operating with the navy’s Carrier Strike Groups.
In addition, the Mk4/4A fleet is capable of troop transportation, casualty evacuation, and carrying underslung loads up to three point eight tonnes.
These aircraft are designed to operate in the Arctic and deserts and are deployed annually to Norway’s northern regions.
Both helicopter variants are also equipped to perform secondary roles such as search and rescue missions.
DE&S Rotary Wing and Uncrewed Air Systems director Mark Langrill said: “We are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Leonardo Helicopters in ensuring that the Royal Navy’s fleet of Merlin helicopters remain in optimal condition.
“This contract extension will strengthen our ongoing collaboration and contribute to the security and economic growth of our nation, whilst ensuring high levels of aircraft availability and sustaining highly skilled jobs across the UK.”
The IMOS contract extension builds upon previous agreements that covered depth maintenance, spare part supply, training, technical support, obsolescence management, and support for other platforms.
Maria Eagle had previously indicated in a parliamentary written response that the Merlin helicopter Out-of-Service Date Extension Programme, which aims to extend the platform’s service from 2019-2030 to 2040, was progressing through standard Ministry of Defence (MoD) procedures.
This latest development aligns with the government’s Plan for Change, reinforcing national security while stimulating economic growth.
This announcement comes after with the government’s declaration of a sustained increase in defence spending, with a target of 2.5% of GDP by April 2027 and an aim to reach 3% in the subsequent Parliament.
