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Merlin helicopter contract extension guarantees continued maintenance and upkeep
1 April 2025
The Royal Navy’s fleet of Merlin helicopters will continue to have expert upkeep thanks to a £165m contract extension.
Thirty Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Mk4/Mk4A amphibious lift aircraft used to transport Royal Marines are covered in the two-year extension of the Integrated Merlin Operational Support contract.
It means the helicopters will get continued deep maintenance, supply of spares, aircrew and maintainer training and technical support service – sustaining 1,000 highly-skilled UK jobs in the supply chain both at Royal Naval Air Stations Yeovilton and Culdrose and Leonardo’s helicopter facility in Yeovil.
Armed with Sting-Ray Torpedoes and M3M .50 calibre machine guns, the Mk2 helicopters support the Royal Navy with anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations, as well as using their powerful radars high above the navy’s Carrier Strike Groups for airborne surveillance and control.
Meanwhile, the Mk4/4A fleet provides troop transport, casualty evacuation and can carry under-slung loads of up to 3.8 tonnes. It is the only troop-carrying helicopter in the UK that specialises in Arctic and desert operations – they deploy annually to the harsh environments of northern Norway.
Both variants can carry out secondary roles such as search and rescue.
The contract extension was agreed with DE&S with Leonard the prime contractor and Lockheed Martin and Serco sub-contractors.
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.”
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle added: “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.”