Defence Minister Stuart Andrew has announced a £293 million contract with Leonardo Helicopters to maintain the UK’s Apache helicopter fleet for the last 5 years of their service.

The Apache AH MK1 Integrated Operational Support contract will maintain the fleet until it’s out of service date in March 2024, say the Ministry of Defence.

The Apache MK1 is to be replaced by the Apache AH-64E which will begin entering service with the British Army in 2022.

Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said:

“The Apache has provided years of crucial battlefield support to UK and coalition troops in operations in Libya and Afghanistan. This multi-million-pound contract will ensure our Armed Forces continue to benefit from this vital capability as we integrate the latest Apache model into service in 2022.”

According to a news release:

“This contract reaffirms the MOD’s committed investment in Leonardo’s Yeovil site. Last May, the MOD announced the delivery of the first Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters designed for Royal Marine aircraft carrier operations. This saw the fruition of a £388 million contract supporting 175 skilled jobs in Yeovil and a further 500 across the UK supply chain. The MOD also provides Leonardo with the £271 million Wildcat support and training contract securing 500 jobs in Yeovil.”

Director Helicopters at Defence Equipment and Support, the MoD’s procurement agency, Graham Russell said:

“This latest multi-million-pound investment in the existing Apache fleet not only demonstrates our positive collaboration with industry in achieving value for money, but also ensures that these battle-proven helicopters remain in-service and readily available for the British Army until their out of service date.”

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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andy reeves
5 years ago

234 million ? that nearly the price of a type 31, you can see where the priorities are

Mike nield
Mike nield
5 years ago
Reply to  andy reeves

To be fair I think the Army does least well when it comes to equipment spending. I can’t back that up with stats – just based on what I seee/read.

T.S
5 years ago
Reply to  andy reeves

It does seem an awful lot of money for a few years upkeep. A bit like the price we are paying for the new chinnocks, I think I worked it out at nearly £200 million per unit. Everything helicopter related seems to carry an eye watering £ total next to it.

Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
5 years ago
Reply to  andy reeves

Half the Army’s operational budget goes on helicopters.

Steve M
Steve M
5 years ago

Yikes! That’s what, 700k per year per Apache? Ouch!!!

DaveyB
DaveyB
5 years ago

The Apache Es are new build, so what is going to happen to the Mk1s? I haven’t seen any news on them being sold on and the airframes do not have a fatigue life, so could be refurbished if required.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

I think the Refurb price was double the New build from Boeing. I would hope they will store the MK1’s just In case.

Fedaykin
5 years ago

It makes no sense to spend money storing what will be different aircraft to the new AH-64E. They will have different training and maintenance requirements to the older Apache AH1. They will no doubt be put through a ‘Reduced to Produce’ (RTP) programme to claw back as many useful spares as possible. There might be some argument keeping a few bare airframes for future use in case an AH-64E is damaged beyond repair. The contract has also been modified so they are not entirely new build with the first 38 at least will be built from remanufactured AH1. Two airframes… Read more »

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  Fedaykin

From that point of View I Agree but, I worry that we have so little in the way of Reserves bearing In Mind the Time it takes to Manufacture these.
It’s all been a bit of a mess really, to my mind.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
5 years ago

It’s all well and good having reserve airframes, but what’s the point if we don’t keep reserve aircrew and engineer’s. It’s just a pointless waste of money that could be spent on something more important.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

Robert, Yes I Hear what you are saying, Maybe You should Hear what I am too. My Point is that, we have very few Assets and They get fewer and Fewer all the time. it’s a constant and relentless Reduction that’s been going on for Decades now. Cut’s Cut’s and more bloody Cut’s. It takes far less time to train Aircrew and Engineers than It does to Design and Build a new Attack Helicopter. We Have reduced from 67 to 50, in a few years, those 50 (If we actually get them all ) will be down to 35 and… Read more »

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
5 years ago

I feel your pain with the cuts, but it all has to be paid for, defence equipment is extremely expensive, and we have genually world beating equipment, yes, I would like to see more of it too. But we have to be realistic about what we can afford. ISTAR is an area we have had growth, and helicopters, maybe not in airframe numbers, but defiantly in capability, it’s best to have the right equipment then lots of below average equipment. Air combat capability is massively more capable today, not in numbers, but Typhoon and F35 will be a huge capability.… Read more »

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

Christ Robert, You sound like Me !!!! I agree with all of that including Liking to see more.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

How much would it realistically cost to put them into CHE in Shawbury as a reserve?

I know there is more chance of Corbyn maintaining defence spending while dancing in a Morris outfit and waving the Union Jack but I feel we get rid of stuff too quickly.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

Not sure Daniele but I really hope they are not just Scrapped.

GWM
GWM
5 years ago
Reply to  DaveyB

They are being stripped of useful parts that can be used on the new builds it was cheaper that way.About 17 stored Mk1s were recently shipped to Leanardo for them to remove parts and send them on to Boeing.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  GWM

Oh, That’s disappointing. Which parts are they going to Re Use ?

GWM
GWM
5 years ago

Bits like the Longbow radar,optical targeting systems,gun,various parts of the cockpit and other mechanical assemblies.
The main reason for the U.S. army wanting this new version was a loss of performance due to weight growth.The new version is based around a stronger and lighter air frame,New more power full engines and gearbox, they have added in other capabilities as well why they were at it.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  GWM

Oh, Trigger’s Broom then ! So are the GM Engines more Powerful than the RR’s ?

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  GWM

lol, GE . DOH !

GWM
GWM
5 years ago
Reply to  GWM

Yes the new engines are more powerful than the RR ones we have which were more powerful than the original engines.
In Afganistan the U.S. apache’s had to remove their longbow radars because of problems with performance at the temperature and altitude while ours were able to retain them.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  GWM

GWM, I thought they were Still less Powerful Truth be Known, but I’ll Bow to your Knowledge.

GWM
GWM
5 years ago
Reply to  GWM

Uh your correct the latest T700 has 2000shp and the RTM322 is 2100.
They are going to fit the new technology turbine in the future which is a lot more power full.

expat
expat
5 years ago
Reply to  GWM

Didn’t RR sell off the Heli engine unit anyway?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

Supports 675 jobs in the UK remember!

The UK Military Industrial Complex always needs feeding. To the detriment of everything else.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

Leonardo’s are a major employer in Yeovil, Yeovil and the surrounding area has a high percentage of Defence related businesses including Honeywell Systems, BAE systems and Thales, There are many other smaller specialist businesses that are directly Involved with Logistics, packaging and Transportation. As an example of the costs Involved, when transporting components, special Boxes, Crates and Containers have to be built to strict Design Criteria, wrapping a Blade in Bubble wrap would be enormously cheaper but It isn’t done like that. When all these factors are taken Into account, the Cost’s obviously mount up hence why everything appears to… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

So what happens oversees where the image seems to be capable and more considerable forces acquired for less? Horse and cart delivery? Does that account for 1 billion plus for 62 Wildcat and 300 million dollars for Blackhawks as reported? Or are things in the UK really expensive, like worker wages, or maybe dare I suggest it corruption is rife and we are being taken to the cleaners on a wide scale? River B2. T26 Gun. Challenger upgrade. Warrior Upgrade. GR4 Upgrade. Wildcat. FSS ( Yes that old caper! ) Dreadnaught. 40 billion for 4. ( Discussed here before )… Read more »

Jonathan
Jonathan
5 years ago

It is true……but a nationstates defence is not just about the people and equipment it has under arms at that time. A nation ability to defence itself works on many levels, failure in one will lead to that nation falling to defeat in the end. 1) Will and leadership, if the will of a nations leaders fails the nation falls ( historic example, the french third republic). 2) will of the population and contection between government and governed, (fall of tzarist Russia World War One) 3) economic, fall of ussr and end of the Cold War 4) industry, (the defeat… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Thank you Johnathon.

Neither do I. Such as with FSS.

I agree sovereign capability is important I just cannot believe the cost.

And again,, it just gives further ammunition in my mind that a better balance is needed if we keep going down this route as we will end up with nothing left on the pyre of home built regardless of cost.

expat
expat
5 years ago

It’s a dilemma. If a government states all helo’s will be made or maintained in the UK then you can guarantee you’ll pay a premium. But the fact is the UK will never produce the numbers to complete with a US defence contractor like Boeing so we will always pay more. However I do think UK defence manufacturing is behind commercial manufacturing, if you get a nice juicy MoD order why would you bother making efficiency improvements. If the that contract also states the government pay for overruns then all the better, industry is actually being incentivised to be less… Read more »

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

Yes, I was trying to give a sort of detailed overview/Insight into the Costs as I saw it but unfortunately I kept getting Interrupted at Work so It really didn’t come over the way I had planned. !!!! Basically, the way I see It Is, We Pay really well for the Skilled Workers, Lots for the Materials and due to Strict Rules and Working practices, Lots more for Testing, Logistics and Research. More so than many other Countrys. Leonardo’s Is a very Popular place to work as the Pay can be a fair bit better than other Manufacturing Companies. They… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

Thanks Captain.

Robert Blay
Robert Blay
5 years ago

So you would rather us buy American or French for every piece of defence equipment? Id rather us keep our own defence industry.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

Did I say that Robert?

Almost every bit of home resourced equipment meets the same response of wide eyed open mouthed shock at how much things cost.

France and Japan for example must do things better.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

France manage to build their own Ships, Subs, Nuclear Missiles, aircraft, Tanks, Guns and virtually everything else. You have a point Daniele.

Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
5 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

Big And Expensive Systems may be a British company but what do they build here? The Germans, French, and Italians produce their own armoured vehicles and naval systems. The Italians and Germans can even supply you with a rifle. The French build their own fighter as do the Swedes. We build a bit of one and invest a lot in systems while the Germans and Spanish build the lions’s share. We don’t even buy the things we do make here – I think the RN’s foul weather gear comes from Germany even though Crewsaver a UK company are world leaders.… Read more »

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

Great post Steve.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

Heck Steve, You Nailed It.
( the first sentence did remind me of, “What have the Romans ever done for us ” though !!!!! )

Airborne
Airborne
5 years ago
Reply to  Robert Blay

TH, you are still owned son!

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  Airborne

TH, I think you meant “I have absolutely NO idea” just saying.

Airborne
Airborne
5 years ago
Reply to  Airborne

Like I said on your previous gibberish childlike troll posts, every time you post and answer, it means you have been owned. You waffle, we laugh and reply, and due to your inability to not have the last word, you have to respond with more chuff. And as we know it and expect it, you are owned. I await your chuff riddled reply son. And methinks the local authrority more than likley has the deeds to your house son. Next?

Jonathan
Jonathan
5 years ago

It’s a crumb to keep that sovereign capability ticking over.

What they need to do is order the replacement medium lift rotor and secure the AW149 production line. Leonardo have promised to move the production line from Italy to the UK if the MOD order the 149 that’s one hell of a production and value offset.

Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

I don’t think we will see a Puma replacement.

Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
5 years ago

@ TH

Bless. You don’t know what I pay or what I do you? I have more than paid way both in terms of time, treasure, and effort for this country.

I wonder what you don’t do TH?

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

Well done. There are many South of the Border who Wish you Luck.

Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

Well I didn’t get a vote or you would already be independent and paying lots of lovely tax.

I am not sure that paying into for funds for a political campaign is the same as paying taxes.

But obviously you know better………

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

I’ve heard this before, a referendum for the English about Scotland.

Would be interesting.

If another happens I will be waiting with popcorn for it to be delayed, fudged, denied, argued it is racist, and none of the Scots know what they are voting for, why they did it, and can we have another referendum to “vote again” a 3rd time.

Sound familiar?

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

Yup. Except, They ( Tartan Blood withstanding ) have the Monopoly on Ship Building and Nuclear Sub Bases, It’s so unfair.

Airborne
Airborne
5 years ago

Spot on mate, but expect some gibberish reply from our tame SNP lip flapper. I know i shouldnt reply to his troll like piffle, but his replies are so funny and childlike it’s hard not to bait the fool.

Steve Taylor
Steve Taylor
5 years ago

They all want devolution and independence as long as the English pay for it.

Scottish devolution vote had a 60% turnout. Of registered voters only 44% voted for devolution.

The turnout for Welsh devolution vote turnout was 50% and only about 25% of registered voters voted for devolution.

The Irish Republic can’t afford Northern Ireland. My fear is if everything goes wrong the North will join the South but we English carry on to pay for it.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

Captain this is another of my list of worries.

Just what the military would lose and the cost of replicating it.

Ivan Kalot
Ivan Kalot
5 years ago

mans ov Scatland is funies, whares Womans scirt blo big bagg ov dead hingis too make aminals skweellie noyse an consumate awefull internals in bag ov testine wiv tits an nappys.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

Right then, Getting the hang of this now.
Men of Scotland ( Scatland ) are funny. They wear Kilts,( skirts ) Play the Bagpipes which are made of dead Haggis ( are they, I didn’t know that ) and make Music. Consume, ( Eat ) Offal, being the “Internals” of said Haggis, and they have it with Neeps ( tits ) and Tatties ( nappys ). Either way, He talks a lot more sense than TH. !

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

LOL!

Airborne
Airborne
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

See TH, you cannot resist the effort at getting in the last word, even though your initial comment is similar to a troll like child, wanting people to respond. And son, the bar staff at JD Wetherspoons aren’t accountants.

Elliott
Elliott
5 years ago
Reply to  Steve Taylor

TH
Somehow I doubt you have ever made enough money to pay taxes, much less enough to justify a accountant. Even if you did I doubt a selfish, unpatriotic, little ingrate such as your self would ever donate money to anything. Not even if it was to undermine your country and fellow citizen both of which you clearly despise.

captain P Wash.
captain P Wash.
5 years ago

Their Is and has been a really worrying trend though, when you think about It. Scottish Names In high Places and no Military Shipyards left south of the Border. Hmmmmmm Is It just Me ?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
5 years ago

Conspiracy?