The MoD has awarded a £470m contract to AgustaWestland for the maintenance and support of Sea King helicopters. The deal marks the second implementation phase of the Sea King Integrated Operational Support (SKIOS) contract.
The support contract transfers more responsibility to Farnborough’s AgustaWestland to cover Sea King maintenance and on-site support to most Search and Rescue (SAR) sites. It also aims to make support arrangements more efficient.
According to Baroness Taylor, minister for Defence Equipment and Support, the first phase of SKIOS successfully overhauled the way in which technical and spares services are provided to the different types of Sea King helicopter used by the UK's armed forces. The second phase is designed to broaden the work undertaken by industry on depth repair and flight line support to Search and Rescue operations.
The SKIOS Phase II contract will sustain at least 270 jobs at the SAR bases and create 40 new posts with AgustaWestland throughout the UK.
The MoD anticipates savings of over £90m over the next twelve years as a result of the contract.
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