The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Boeing Defence UK an 879-million-pound ($1.2-billion) contract to maintain and support its Apache attack helicopters and Chinook transport fleet.
The three-year deal, issued through the National Armaments Director Group under the Rotary Wing Enterprise framework, covers integrated in-service support for the British Army’s AH-64E Apache helicopters and the Royal Air Force’s Chinook HC fleet.
Both platforms are central to UK combat and transport operations, with Apaches providing attack capability and Chinooks delivering heavy-lift support across military missions.
Boeing Defence UK will provide maintenance, logistics, technical services, and training for aircrews, ground staff, and engineers.
The contract also consolidates support for both helicopter fleets under a single framework, which the Ministry of Defence says will improve efficiency and operational readiness.
More than 700 jobs will be sustained within Boeing Defence UK across multiple UK sites. A further 500 roles across the supply chain are also expected to be supported, including about 300 at StandardAero. The program also plans to expand apprenticeship opportunities to up to 50 over the next three years.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the investment ensures the armed forces remain properly equipped while supporting UK industry and jobs.
UK Expands Helicopter Fleet Modernization
The latest Boeing support deal builds on a wider UK effort to modernize and sustain its helicopter fleet through ongoing upgrades and procurement.
London is expected to award Leonardo a 1-billion-pound ($1.3 billion) contract to supply 23 medium-lift military helicopters. The deal will support thousands of jobs and secure production at Britain’s only military helicopter manufacturing site in Yeovil, southwest England.
In February, the Royal Navy tested a new air combat concept using helicopters as command hubs for drone operations. In the “Eagle’s Eye” trials, manned helicopters coordinated drone fleets through a resilient multi-node mesh communications network, demonstrating integrated crewed and uncrewed operations.
Earlier, in January, autonomous helicopter Proteus completed its first flight in the UK.
