Yeovil-based Leonardo Helicopters UK (www.leonardocompany.com) — formerly known as AgustaWestland — has renewed its partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The new deal includes commitments to work together on “year-on-year improvements in cost-effectiveness”, while recognising their respective roles in “enhancing national prosperity through exports”.

They first agreed to a strategic partnering arrangement (SPA) in June 2006, and this has now been reviewed for 10 more years. During the original agreement period, Leonardo Helicopters provided support for UK aircraft conducting operations world-wide, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. It says that the SPA represents “shared commitments to joint work that are expected to benefit the Armed Forces, the taxpayer and the company”.

Pete Worrall, Chief of Material Joint Enablers at the MoD’s defence equipment and support arm, says: “We anticipate spending around £3 billion with Leonardo over the next decade to upgrade and support our helicopters. This
arrangement represents a great opportunity for both Leonardo and the MoD.”

Defence Procurement Minister Philip Dunne said: “Leonardo Helicopters continues to play a vital role in supporting helicopter fleets for the Armed Forces. It also makes a substantial contribution to the economy in the South West. Leonardo will continue to support Merlin and Wildcat — two of our five main helicopter fleets — to 2030 and beyond, as well as our current Apache helicopters for the next eight years.”