In a boost for UK growth, we have extended an existing Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) contract for up to two years, to ensure the continued expert upkeep of the Royal Navy’s fleet of 54 AW101 Merlin helicopters.

The contract, worth more than £165M, will sustain around 1,000 highly skilled UK jobs, 200 of which are located at Leonardo’s helicopters facility in Yeovil, and 800 across the wider UK supply chain and Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton and RNAS Culdrose.

The contract covers the fleet of 30 Merlin HM Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Merlin HC Mk4/Mk4A amphibious and battlefield lift aircraft.

Armed with Sting-Ray Torpedoes and M3M .50 calibre machine guns, the HM Mk2 helicopters provide the Royal Navy with Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Warfare capability, as well as using their powerful radars high above the navy’s carrier strike groups for airborne surveillance and control.

The HC Mk4/4A fleet provides troop transport, casualty evacuation and can carry medium lift under-slung loads of up to 3.8 tonnes. Both variants can carry out secondary roles such as search and rescue.

The IMOS extension builds on the previous contract for depth maintenance; supply of spares; aircrew and maintainer training; technical support service; proactive obsolescence service, and support to other platforms.

Those working on the contract will be part of ensuring that the fleet of state-of-the-art Merlin helicopters are prepared for everyday high readiness of homeland Defence, thanks to their expert maintenance.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP said:

“Our fleet of world-class Merlin helicopters provide the Royal Navy with a vital advantage over our adversaries, keeping our carrier strike groups safe and enhancing their battle-winning capability.

“This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining cutting-edge defence capabilities that keep us safe, while utilising defence as an engine for economic growth, supporting 1,000 well-paid jobs across the UK.”

In a recent operation, Merlin helicopters  were deployed on Operation Clockwork in Norway, training Commando Helicopter Force air and ground crew. A number of Merlin helicopters will also join the upcoming Carrier Strike Group (CSG25) deployment.

As well as jobs based at Leonardo in Yeovil, other roles supported by the contract – including apprenticeships – are based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall at the Merlin Depth Maintenance Facility where the Merlin Mk2 aircraft and training system are located, while the Royal Navy’s Merlin Mk4 aircraft and training system are located at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.

Mark Langrill, DE&S Director Rotary Wing and Uncrewed Air Systems, said:

“We are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Leonardo Helicopters in ensuring that the Royal Navy’s fleet of Merlin helicopters remain in optimal condition. This contract extension will strengthen our ongoing collaboration and contribute to the security and economic growth of our nation, whilst ensuring high levels of aircraft availability and sustaining highly skilled jobs across the UK.”

Leonardo is the prime contractor for IMOS, with Lockheed Martin and SERCO appointed as key sub-contractors.

Nigel Colman, Managing Director, Leonardo Helicopters UK, said:

“We’re extremely proud to have provided the UK’s AW101 Merlin fleet from the Home of British Helicopters in Yeovil. Working closely with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy, we’re keeping the Merlin fleet supported and available, so it’s ready to fly whenever and wherever it’s called upon. At the same time, we’re looking towards how Merlin will be supported in the years to come under the Rotary Wing Enterprise (RWE) agreement, which will transform how support will be delivered across the whole UK rotary fleet.”