News Military MRO
Safran deal to support UK Merlin and Apache engines

Safran Helicopter Engines signed a three-year support contract extension with the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support agency to provide an end-to-end availability service for the RTM322 engines fitted to Royal Navy Merlin and British Army Apache AH Mk1 helicopters.

Covering a fleet of more than 400 engines, the contract represents a continuation of the support provided by Safran for this engine type since 2013, when the company bought out Rolls-Royce’s share of the RTM322. Safran states, under this partnership, it has now provided more than four years of significantly exceeding availability targets for engines, accessories and spare parts.

Safran Helicopter Engines manages this contract from its UK facility in Fareham, Hampshire, with more than 40 people on site. The contract covers the provision of engines, modules, accessories and spares, including maintenance, repair and overhaul, logistics, technical support and technical publications. The new contract runs until March 31, 2022, with additional option years to 2024.

“Safran Helicopter Engines has provided highly capable, reliable and responsive support to our fleet of RTM322 engines during the previous contract, consistently delivering high levels of engine availability,” said Vice-Marshal Graham Russell, Director Helicopters at the UK MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support Organisation. “Consequently, we are very pleased to have signed this extension to the contract which will ensure continued effective support to the front line.”