30% boost to UK military transport aircraft availability under new deal

A 30% improvement in availability for the RAF’s tactical and strategic airlift fleet will be delivered under a £190 million contract extension between the Ministry of Defence and Airbus.

The extension will see Airbus continue its maintenance, repair and support services for the RAF’s A400M Atlas fleet from its UK Support Centre at RAF Brize Norton.

As well as sustaining more than 350 UK jobs, the extended contract is set to deliver a significant boost to operational capability and will increase the number of fully mission-capable aircraft available each day from 10 to 13 by the end of 2027.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said:

This contract extension is a vote of confidence in British engineering, and the workforce at Brize Norton and Carterton who keep our A400M fleet flying.

By boosting availability of these aircraft, we’re strengthening the RAF’s ability to conduct global operations and deliver on NATO commitments when it matters most, while backing UK jobs and delivering value for money for taxpayers.

The A400M Atlas is a cornerstone of the UK’s air mobility capability, supporting operations ranging from humanitarian relief to rapid troop deployment.

Continued support at RAF Brize Norton ensures the fleet remains ready to meet these demands without interruption, forming part of the government’s wider commitment to strengthening the UK’s defence industrial base and value for money in defence contracts.

Air Cdre Si Young, Head Air Mobility in National Armaments Materiel, said: