U.K. Ministry of Defense awarded a $379 million contract to Leonardo to support the country’s Apache AH Mk.1 Attack Helicopter fleet through 2024.

According to a company’s statement, the Apache Integrated Operational Support (IOS) contract is valued at approximately £293 million (approximately €325 million) and will continue to support the Apache AH Mk.1 Attack Helicopter fleet from 1st April 2019 until the aircraft goes out of service in 2024.

During a visit to Leonardo Helicopters’ facility in Yeovil today Defence Minister Stuart Andrew said “The Apache has provided years of crucial battlefield support to UK and coalition troops in operations in Libya and Afghanistan. This multi-million-pound contract will ensure our Armed Forces continue to benefit from this vital capability as we integrate the latest Apache model into service in 2022.”

Geoff Munday, Leonardo Helicopters’ Managing Director in the UK said “We are pleased that we have been awarded the contract to support the Apache AH Mk.1 fleet up to the planned out of service date and that the Minister has taken the time to visit us here in Yeovil to see first-hand the unique and exceptional capabilities we have here in the UK.”

Under the contract Apache IOS prime contractor Leonardo, through the involvement of its Helicopter and Electronics divisions, will continue to be supported by its industrial partners Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Longbow International to deliver complete spares provisioning, engineering, depth maintenance, repair & overhaul and technical support services for the UK MoD’s fleet of Apache AH Mk.1 helicopters.

At Wattisham Airfield, the British Army’s main Apache AH Mk.1 operating base, Leonardo will continue to manage the Depth Support Unit and the associated workshops, ensuring the throughput of the facility matches the operational requirements of the Army Air Corps.

At Army Aviation Centre Middle Wallop, Leonardo will continue to be responsible for the provision of Apache aircraft on the flight line at the School of Army Aviation, delivering the required number of flight hours to match the Army’s training requirements.