Defence News – Early April 2025
Estimated reading time 1 minute
The Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting Merlin helicopters will receive world-class maintenance under a £165 million contract extension, supporting 1,000 skilled UK jobs.
The agreement supports the government’s Plan for Change by bolstering national security and boosting the economy, with the Ministry of Defence ensuring the defence sector is an engine for growth in every nation and region of the UK.
It will sustain 200 jobs at Leonardo’s helicopters facility in Yeovil, Somerset, and 800 more across the wider UK supply chain, and covers the fleet of 30 Merlin Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and 24 Merlin Mk4 amphibious and battlefield lift aircraft.
