1,000 British jobs supported by deal to bolster fleet of sub-hunting helicopters

The Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters will receive world-class maintenance under a £165 million contract extension, supporting 1,000 skilled UK jobs.

The agreement supports the government’s Plan for Change by bolstering national security and boosting the economy, with the Ministry of Defence ensuring the defence sector is an engine for growth in every nation and region of the UK.

It will sustain 200 jobs at Leonardo’s helicopters facility in Yeovil, Somerset, and 800 more across the wider UK supply chain, and covers the fleet of 30 Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Merlin Mk4 amphibious and battlefield lift aircraft.

The deal contributes to the Government’s commitment to secure Britain’s future through the Plan for Change, which is delivering security and renewal by kick-starting economic growth to put more money in working people’s pockets.

The Mk2 helicopters are submarine hunters and can also carry out search and rescue operations, intercept drug runners and pirates, and support humanitarian relief efforts.

Armed with Sting-Ray Torpedoes and M3M .50 calibre machine guns, the Mk2 helicopters provide the Royal Navy with anti-submarine and anti-surface support.

They also use powerful radars high above the Navy’s carrier strike groups for airborne surveillance and control. The Mk4 fleet provides troop transport, casualty evacuation and can carry medium lift loads of up to 3.8 tonnes.