Yeovil-based Leonardo (UK) (www.uk.leonardocompany.com) has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide comprehensive support and maintenance services for the Apache AH Mk.1 attack helicopter fleet.

The Apache Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract is valued at about £293 million; it will run from 1 April until the aircraft goes out of service in 2024.

During a recent visit to Leonardo Helicopters’ facility in Yeovil, Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said: “The Apache has provided crucial battlefield support to UK and coalition troops in operations in Libya and Afghanistan.

“This multi-million-pound contract will ensure that our Armed Forces continue to benefit from this vital capability, as we bring the latest Apache model into service in 2022.”

Geoff Munday, Leonardo Helicopters’ managing director in the UK, said: “We are pleased that we have been awarded the contract to support the Apache AH Mk.1 fleet up to the planned out-of-service date — and that the Minister has taken the time to visit us here in Yeovil to see first-hand the unique and exceptional capabilities we have here in the UK.”

Under the contract Apache IOS prime contractor Leonardo will continue to be helped by its industrial partners Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Longbow International to ‘deliver’ spares provisioning, engineering, depth maintenance, repair and overhaul, and technical support services for the MoD’s fleet of Apache AH Mk.1 helicopters.