Covers All Royal Air Force Puma, Gazelle Helicopters

Eurocopter and the UK Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the through-life support (TLS) of the Royal Air Force fleet of all Puma and Gazelle helicopters on December 19, 2008. The contract will run up to end of March 2013.

The TLS contract replaces several former contracts between the MoD and Eurocopter for the support of RAF Puma HC1 and British Army Gazelle AH1 helicopters, and includes firm commitments on equipment availability. The integrated package also paves the way for the projected Puma life extension program (Puma HC2) due to be launched next year.

Eurocopter will bring to this program its extensive experience in providing integrated logistic and operational support to its military customers worldwide. The UK Puma & Gazelle TLS program will be managed by Eurocopter with the support of logistics staff provided by its local subsidiary, Eurocopter UK Ltd.

This is a very significant development in the maturing relationship between the UK MoD and Eurocopter. It is also the beginning of a wider partnered relationship between the Company and the UK MoD that Eurocopter intends to develop, within the framework of the UK Defence Industrial Strategy, and in view of the forthcoming new helicopter programs like the ‘Future Medium Helicopter’ (FMH).

FMI: www.eurocopter.com