MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Rolls-Royce awarded engine contract for Sea King helicopters

Rolls-Royce has been awarded a £258 million engine contract for the UK's fleet of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Sea King helicopters over the next 10 years. One of them is permanently based in the Falkland Islands.

The agreement will be managed at Yeovilton, Somerset, and Rolls Royce Bristol at the MoD's defence equipment and support sites. The deal provides a guaranteed delivery of Gnome turboshaft engines and includes provision of spares. The work will be carried out in Coventry, Ansty and Germany. Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said: "The Sea Kings are an integral part of the UK Support Helicopter Force and are delivering a sterling effort in current operations in Afghanistan as well as in its high profile search and rescue tasks within the UK. "This new support contract will help to ensure that the aircraft is always available to carry out the crucial roles with which it is tasked." Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force Sea Kings are currently engaged on operations in Afghanistan. Each aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Gnome engines. The Sea King UK operating bases are: RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall; RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset; RNAS Prestwick near Glasgow; Royal Marine Base Chivenor in Devon; RAF Boulmer in Northumberland; RAF Valley on Anglesey; RAF Leconfield on Humberside; RAF Wattisham in Suffolk; RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. A Sea King is also permanently based in the Falkland Islands