Serco : wins UK MOD contract to support Royal Navy helicopters at RNAS Yeovilton and Culdrose

Serco, the international services company and defence specialist has been awarded a £20 million contract to provide Aircraft Engineering Support and Airfield Services (AESAS) at Royal Naval Air Stations (RNAS) Yeovilton and Culdrose.

The contract will commence in January 2021 and is for four years and three months with a 12 month extension option.

The contract will deliver aircraft engineering support to the Royal Navy's Merlin Helicopter Force and Wildcat Helicopter Force based out of RNAS Culdrose and RNAS Yeovilton respectively, enabling the Royal Navy's operational capability and airworthiness of the rotary fleets.

Additional services include maintaining the specialist ground support equipment for both aircraft types, providing refuelling services at both air stations and administrative support including operational planning support to 736 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Culdrose. The contract will also support flying training with simulator instructors.

Commenting on the contract win, Paul McCarter, Managing Director of Serco's Defence business said: "We are delighted to have won this contract and to be once again providing these critical services at the two West Country Naval Air Stations for the Royal Navy. It will sit alongside our existing operational presence in the region with maritime services at Devonport and our team of aircraft engineers supporting Leonardo Helicopters and the Merlin helicopter fleet at RNAS Culdrose.

"This is an exciting time for the Royal Navy, the Fleet Air Arm and its Engineering Branch as the helicopter force of Merlin and Wildcat aircraft support a surface fleet that is modernising and changing shape with the two operational carriers and the Type 26 and Type 31 classes on the horizon."

The current workforce of around 100 people will transfer to Serco under TUPE regulations.