Serco has been awarded two rotary support contracts by AgustaWestland, valued at a total of £18m.

The contracts involve the provision of engineering and technical support on the Apache AH Mk 1 platform, a key part of the Army’s Air Assault Brigade, and the MoD’s fleet of Sea King helicopters.

Under the Apache AH Mk.1 Interim Support Arrangement (ISA), Serco will provide engineers and technicians to AgustaWestland, the prime contractor, for the Apache Depth Support Unit at Wattisham Station. Serco personnel, under AgustaWestland management, will manage and staff the recently developed aircraft pulse line to ensure the continued availability of the Apache operational fleet now on deployed operations in Afghanistan.

The contract is worth approximately £15m over the three years of this interim arrangement.  At the same time, Serco will be working with AgustaWestland to develop a long term Apache AH Mk.1 support solution.

The Sea King contract involves the provision of over forty Serco staff operating six modification lines at RNAS Culdrose and Yeovilton. They will be working on around sixty aircraft over the life of the contract.  The Naval Air Command, the Royal Air Force and the Joint Helicopter Command use the Sea King for airborne surveillance, as a troop carrier and support helicopter and for search and rescue duties.  The contract is worth £3m over two years.

Mark Rogerson, Managing Director of Serco's Defence Operations business, said: "These contracts mean a great deal to Serco.  They strengthen our role in enhancing the capability and availability of equipment to UK forces on operations, which we are proud to be able to do.  In addition, they further cement our relationship with AgustaWestland, a much valued partner in our defence business."