Leonardo today announced the signing of a contract with the UK Ministry of Defense for the provision of complete support and maintenance services for the Apache AH Mk.1 helicopter fleet. The integrated operating support contract (IOS - Integrated Operational Support) has a value of approximately 293 million pounds (about 325 million euros) and will guarantee coverage of the related services from the first of April 2019 until the fleet withdrawal, foreseen in the 2024.
The contract was announced during the visit to the Leonardo di Yeovil plant of the UK Defense Supply Minister Stuart Andrew MP, who declared: "The Apache have assured over the years a fundamental operational support for the British military personnel and allied during operations in Libya and Afghanistan. This contract will allow our Armed Forces to continue to benefit from the capabilities offered by these helicopters waiting for the entry into service of the new Apache in the 2022 ".
Geoff Munday, Managing Director of the Helicopters division of Leonardo in the UK, added: "We are delighted to have obtained this contract to support the Apache AH Mk.1 helicopter fleet until their withdrawal from the operational service and we are happy that the Minister has decided to visit the Yeovil plant, so as to be able to appreciate in person the unique and extraordinary industrial capacities present in the UK ".
As prime contractor Leonardo, through its Helicopters and Electronics divisions, it will continue to be supported by its industrial partners Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Longbow International to provide spare parts, engineering services, maintenance, repair and overhaul for Apache AH Mk .1. At the main Apache AH Mk.1 base used by the British Army in Wattisham, Leonardo will continue to manage the various support activities ensuring the satisfaction of the client's expectations. In Middle Wallop Leonardo will also continue to provide the number of flight hours provided for by the training activities.
The contract will be managed by an integrated team of personnel from the Company and the Ministry of Defense at a dedicated office in the Yeovil plant and will ensure the required operation while reducing operating costs. In the United Kingdom, Leonardo provides integrated operational support and training services for the AW159 Wildcat and AW101 Merlin helicopters fleet of the Ministry of Defense.
