RAF A109s retained for an extra year
The Ministry of Defence has extended a contract to operate its VIP A109 helicopters for an extra year.
Rotorhub.com has learnt that the MoD renewed the contract for the AgustaWestland A109E Powers operated by 32 (The Royal) Squadron on Thursday, March 31 just before the contract was due to end.
The one year extension with AgustaWestland as primary contractor and Sywell-based Sloane Helicopters providing maintenance and training modifies the contract and reduces the number of helicopters available to the squadron, based at RAF Northolt, from three to two.
A source close to the contract said the squadron often exceeds the contracted number of flying hours, 300 hours per aircraft per year. Such a reduction in the number of aircraft means that the unit's mission priorities may have to change.
The aircraft are used in the VIP and communications role, often flying high ranking officers around the country.
The A109s first went into service back in 2006 replacing three AS355 Twin Squirrels. The type serves alongside the BAe 125 and BAe 146 fixed-wing VIP aircraft.
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