30 skilled jobs safeguarded as MOD and Boeing Defence UK agree new deal to train C-17 pilots

30 skilled jobs at Farnborough will be safeguarded for 5 years thanks to a new agreement between the Government and Boeing Defence UK, as the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft marks 25 years of service with the UK Armed Forces. 

The Ministry of Defence through the National Armaments Director Group has secured an agreement with Boeing Defence UK which will mean world-class training for UK C-17 air and ground crews will continue for the next 5 years at Farnborough, where the simulators and training facilities are based, ensuring that the specialist expertise needed to train C-17 crews remains in the UK. 

The agreement forms part of a wider 19-year contract signed in 2021, worth £274 million overall, running to 2040.  

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

“The continued success of this partnership demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting defence industry and delivering for local communities. By securing highly skilled jobs for the next five years, we are keeping world-class expertise here in the UK, supporting growth and ensuring our Armed Forces receive the best training possible.” 

Thom Breckenridge, managing director Boeing Defence UK, said:

“We are proud to continue our support for the UK’s C-17 fleet through this important new five-year agreement, reflecting the strength of our long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Defence and the RAF.

“The training delivered at Farnborough plays a vital role in ensuring RAF air and ground crews are fully prepared to operate one of the world’s most capable strategic airlift aircraft safely and effectively.”

Air Cdre Si Young, Head Air Mobility in the National Armaments Director Group, said:

“This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to sustaining the very best training capability for our C-17 crews. The men and women who operate and maintain this aircraft depend on rigorous, high-quality synthetic training, and this contract ensures that standard is maintained for years to come.”

He added:

"As we mark 25 years of the C-17 in UK service, it is right that we celebrate not just the aircraft itself, but the dedicated teams at Farnborough who have worked tirelessly to keep our crews ready and our operations safe. This investment in training is an investment in operational capability, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Boeing Defence UK."

The Boeing Defence UK facility at Farnborough provides synthetic training for all UK C-17 air and ground crews in support of ongoing C-17 aircraft operations, offering a safe and cost-effective environment for crews to develop and maintain the skills needed to operate one of the world's most capable strategic airlift aircraft. 

This year also marks a significant milestone: 25 years since the C-17 Globemaster III first entered service with the UK Armed Forces. Since its introduction in 2001, the C-17 has been at the heart of Britain's strategic airlift capability, deploying on operations across the globe. From delivering humanitarian aid to disaster zones, to supporting military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and airlifting British nationals from conflict areas, the aircraft has proven indispensable to the UK's defence and humanitarian response. Its ability to operate from short airstrips while carrying outsize cargo has made it uniquely versatile in both combat and peacetime roles.