Provides Additional Five Years Of Integrated Operational Support For UK MoD’s AW101 Merlin Fleet

Finmeccanica – AgustaWestland has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) covering the third five year period of the 25-year Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) contract. The contract provides a comprehensive availability based support package for the UK MoD's fleet of AW101 Merlin helicopters for the period 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2020. It is valued at approximately £580 million (approximately €790 million or $785 million) and was announced by Philip Dunne MP, Minister for Defense Equipment, Support and Technology during a visit to AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility.

“Our fleet of Merlin helicopters has benefited from considerable investment by the MOD through major upgrades in recent years," said Defence Minister Philip Dunne. "This new contract will ensure we can continue to deliver flexible capability to meet the needs of our Armed Forces, as well as excellent value for money for the taxpayer. In addition, the contract will sustain more than 1,000 jobs, which will maintain vital engineering skills in the defence sector.”

The helicopters supported by the IMOS contract comprise the 30 Royal Navy’s Merlin HM Mk.2 multi-role maritime helicopters and the 25 Merlin HC Mk.3 & 3A transport helicopters recently transferred to the Royal Navy from the Royal Air Force. The Merlin HC Mk.3 & 3A helicopters are being converted by AgustaWestland to Mk.4 and 4A standard for amphibious support operations under the Merlin Life Sustainment Program (MLSP) contract it was awarded in January 2014.

The IMOS contract includes payments for achieved flying hours and incentivization arrangements associated with delivering agreed levels of aircraft serviceability, operational fleet aircraft numbers and Royal Navy AW101 Merlin Training System availability.

The contract continues AgustaWestland's long term commitment to provide efficient and effective support solutions for the UK MoD’s helicopter fleets, while delivering through a partnered approach increased aircraft availability and increased value for money to the UK Government. A joint industry/MoD IMOS team is co-located in Centenary House at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility to allow joint working and ensure seamless service delivery.

AgustaWestland is also providing Integrated Operational Support solutions for the UK MoD’s Apache AH Mk.1, AW159 Wildcat and Sea King helicopter fleets.

(Images provided by AgustaWestland)

FMI: www.agustawestland.com