HUNDREDS of jobs have been created as a £879m three-year deal has been signed to keep the British Army Apache and RAF Chinook helicopters mission-ready.
The investment will support 700 skilled jobs at Boeing Defence UK sites across the UK, including at Middle Wallop, Wattisham, Odiham, Bristol, Gosport and Yeovil.
A further 500 jobs are supported across the supply chain, including 300 at StandardAero.
Announced on Wednesday, April 15 at Middle Wallop, the three‑year deal has been awarded to Boeing Defence UK and will bring together support for both helicopter fleets under a single framework for the first time.
Known as the Rotary Wing Enterprise, the arrangement is designed to streamline maintenance, reduce duplication, and deliver better value for money for the Ministry of Defence.
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The contract was unveiled by the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, during a visit to the Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop where he met engineers, technicians and apprentices working on the frontline of helicopter maintenance and training.
Speaking at the base, Mr Pollard said: "This £879m contract is absolutely essential to keeping our incredible helicopters flying. It will keep the latest generation of Apache attack helicopters, the best in the world, in the air, and ensure the Chinook, our military workhorse, can continue lifting personnel and equipment across the globe.
"It’s a real investment in cutting‑edge capability that protects our national security and supports good, decent jobs in places like Middle Wallop, Odiham, Yeovil and Gosport."
The Minister said the deal would not only sustain current jobs but also create new career opportunities for young people.
“A key part of this investment is the 50 additional apprentices who will be taken on," he explained.
"We’re giving young people the chance to train in engineering and aviation, setting them up with skills and careers that will last a lifetime. Defence is not just about aircraft and hardware, it’s about people, and the pride that comes from serving something bigger than yourself."
Around 700 skilled roles will be supported directly across Boeing’s UK sites, with a further 500 jobs maintained through the supply chain, including 300 at StandardAero and dozens more through smaller subcontractors across the South.
Mr Pollard said the contract reflected the government’s determination to use defence as "an engine for growth."
He added: "We’re moving firmly towards war‑fighting readiness and ending the hollowing out that we inherited. That means investing in our armed forces, but also in British businesses and British skills. Defence spending done right boosts our security, our economy and our communities."
He also said the agreement came at a time when the world was "becoming a more dangerous place."
"Our engineers, apprentices and aircrews all have a part to play," he said.
"From the workshops at Middle Wallop to the frontlines overseas, this whole‑team approach is what deters Putin and ensures the UK can meet any challenge that may come."
Sir Jeremy Quin, President of Boeing UK & Ireland, said: "This contract highlights the UK Government’s commitment to maintaining a world‑class rotary wing capability and strengthening the country's defence industrial base."
The Apache AH‑64E remains the Army’s most advanced attack helicopter, while the RAF’s Chinook continues to play a vital role in heavy‑lift operations, capable of transporting up to 55 troops or 10 tonnes of cargo in any environment.
The deal forms part of a record £270bn defence investment this Parliament, following other major announcements including £1bn for new helicopters at Yeovil and £500 million for radar upgrades to RAF Typhoon jets, ahead of spending rising to 2.6 per cent of GDP by 2027.
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