Scott Nicholas
Airbus has secured a potential $135.6 million follow-on contract from the U.K. ministry of defense to help sustain the country’s fleet of Puma 2 helicopters throughout the platform’s service life.
The company said Dec. 22 its helicopters business will repair, overhaul and provide logistics support for the U.K. air force’s Puma 2 fleet through March 2022. or March 2025 if options are exercised.
Airbus Helicopters will also train Puma avionics and mechanical technicians along with the air force’s engineering managers.
“The deal, part of our [$241.3 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 U.K. Defense Minister Harriett Baldwin.
Puma 2 has supported various operations of the U.K. armed forces including deployments to Afghanistan as part of Operation TORAL as well as the disaster relief Operation Ruman which was launched in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
