The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Airbus Helicopters a $135.2 million follow-on support deal to maintain its Royal Air Force (RAF) Puma Mk2 helicopter fleet.
Under the deal, announced Dec. 22, Airbus will provide repair and overhaul services for the Mk2 helicopters through March 2022, although the contract may be extended to reach the fleet’s end of service deadline of March 2025.
Airbus will also offer full technical support, logistics, and a parts-by-the-hour program for routine maintenance.
“This [$135.2 million] investment will ensure our Puma helicopters continue to transport British troops and kit to the front line – helping us provide vital support quickly in rapidly evolving situations. The deal – part of our [$240.6 billion] Equipment Plan – will not only give our Armed Forces the kit they need to deal with intensifying global threats, but will also sustain British jobs at Airbus Helicopters,” said Harriett Baldwin, British under secretary of state for defense procurement, in a statement.
Airbus has previously offered support services to the Royal Air Force since the upgraded Puma 2 first entered service in 2012.
“This follow on contract re-affirms the confidence that the [Ministry of Defence] has in the aircraft and in Airbus to continue to provide a cost effective and highly capable solution that will allow the Puma to continue to support our forces on operations, in very demanding conditions,” said Ian Morris, head of Airbus’ UK defense programs, in a statement.