The Ministry of
Defence will give a major boost to the military helicopter fleet
with 22 new Chinook helicopters, the Defence Secretary Bob
Ainsworth announced today.
The first ten new Chinooks will start to roll off the production
line in 2012 and be completed in 2013 increasing air support on
the front-line in Afghanistan.
The Chinook fleet will increase in size from 48 to 70 airframes.
This announcement is part of a new Future Helicopter Strategy that
will deliver a 40 per cent increase in the number of lift
helicopters available for use on operations in extreme conditions,
such as those in Afghanistan. The RAF will fly the new Chinook
alongside the Merlins which arrived in Afghanistan last month.
Announcing the Future Helicopter Strategy, Defence Secretary Bob
Ainsworth said:
“Our forces on the frontline in Afghanistan repeatedly tell me
that Chinook are indispensable on operations. I am therefore
delighted to announce plans to deliver more of these robust,
effective and proven battle-winning helicopters.
“Helicopter capability has already doubled in the last three
years and this future strategy builds on this, ensuring that our
Armed Forces have the very best resources at their disposal.”
Commander Joint Helicopter Command, Rear Admiral Tony
Johnstone-Burt, said:
“The superior lift performance of the Chinook has proved
invaluable on operations. This new strategy will dramatically
increase our military capability on the battlefield for many years
to come.”
The new strategy will see the ageing Sea Kings, which the Royal
Navy and RAF currently use, being taken out of service early. The
Navy’s future helicopter requirements would be met by a
combination of the Merlin fleet and new Wildcat. The Army will
also operate Wildcat alongside the hugely successful Apache. It
will mean that following the retirement of Puma from 2022, the
UK’s Armed Forces will operate four core helicopter fleets of
Chinook, Apache, Wildcat and Merlin – each of around 65-75
aircraft.
Today’s announcement builds on the substantial progress that has
already been made this year to improve helicopter capability.
Improvements include:
• an increase in helicopter flying hours
(which is what commanders use to plan) by 95 per cent
• an
upgrade to Lynx helicopters engines
• the first Merlin
helicopters deployed to Afghanistan
• a £408M upgrade to the
existing Chinook fleet with new engines and part-digitised
cockpits
• a £300M upgrade to the Puma fleet to extend its
service until at least 2022
• the first of eight converted
Chinook Mk3 aircraft have been delivered into service.
This is part of a £6Bn programme of investment over the next decade.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Chinook fleet will increase in size from 48, which
includes eight Mk 3 Chinook and replacement of two Chinook lost on
operations, to 70 airframes.
2. Photographs and footage of military helicopters are available
at:
www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk
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Squadron Leader Al Green
MOD Press Office
020 72181534
or mobile 07919 305865
DMC-NewsSO2RAF@mod.uk
Beth Cowley
MoD Press Office
0207 218 3255
DMC-Newsequipment4@mod.uk
020 72183255 or mobile 07792 458938
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk