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Defence contracts

£233.5 Million Contract Secured for RAF's Poseidon Submarine Hunting Aircraft

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a £233.5 million contract with Boeing Defence UK to maintain the Royal Air Force's (RAF) Poseidon submarine hunting aircraft. The agreement is expected to create over 150 British jobs, with 107 posts dedicated to aircraft maintenance and support at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, and a further 46 posts at sites in Bristol, Yeovil, and Gosport. This latest contract builds on the success of the Poseidon fleet, which has already been operational for several years, and underscores the UK's commitment to defending its maritime interests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The £233.5 million contract with Boeing Defence UK will see the maintenance and support of the RAF's Poseidon submarine hunting aircraft over the next five years.
  • The agreement is expected to create over 150 British jobs, with 107 posts dedicated to aircraft maintenance and support at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.
  • A further 46 posts will be created at sites in Bristol, Yeovil, and Gosport.
  • The Poseidon fleet is operated from a new £100 million facility at RAF Lossiemouth that opened in September 2020, which includes a three-bay hangar, accommodation for squadrons, training, mission support, and two flight simulators.
  • The investment in the base now totals £470 million, including a £75 million upgrade to the runway ahead of the site becoming home to the UK's fleet of Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning surveillance aircraft.

Statistics:

  • £233.5 million: The value of the contract awarded to Boeing Defence UK to maintain the RAF's Poseidon submarine hunting aircraft.
  • 107: The number of posts dedicated to aircraft maintenance and support at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.
  • 46: The number of posts to be created at sites in Bristol, Yeovil, and Gosport.
  • 9: The number of Poseidon aircraft ordered from Boeing by the UK.
  • 5: The number of Poseidon aircraft currently operating out of Lossiemouth, named the Pride of Moray, City of Elgin, Terence Bulloch, Spirit of Reykjavik, and Fulmar.
  • £100 million: The cost of the new facility at RAF Lossiemouth.
  • £470 million: The total investment in the base, including the £75 million upgrade to the runway.
  • 2020: The year the new facility at RAF Lossiemouth was opened.

Sources:

  • "Ministry of Defence's new £100 million facility at RAF Lossiemouth reaches milestone with first operational aircraft" (MoD Press Release, 2020)
  • "Poseidon Team Leader Malcom French on the P-8A Delivery Team" (Boeing Defence UK, 2022)
  • "Royal Air Force" (Wikipedia, accessed 2022)
  • "Poseidon Aircraft" (Boeing Defence UK, accessed 2022)

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