2 min read - 16 Apr, 2026
Boeing lands £879m contract to support Apache and Chinook fleets
Boeing Defence UK has been awarded a new £879m contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to provide long‑term maintenance and support for the British Army’s Apache attack helicopters and the RAF’s Chinook heavy-lift fleet.
The three-year deal brings together support for both fleets under a single arrangement, known as the Rotary Wing Enterprise, for the first time. This will improve how the aircraft are maintained, reduce duplication, and ensure the UK’s rotary fleets remain mission-ready.
The contract will sustain approximately 700 Boeing Defence UK jobs across Southern England and Scotland, including locations such as Middle Wallop, Odiham, Wattisham, Bristol, Gosport, Yeovil, and Almondbank. Additionally, around 500 jobs will be supported across the UK supply chain, including 300 roles at UK-based partner StandardAero, with plans to increase apprenticeships to as many as 50 over the next three years.
A three-year £879m contract has been awarded to Boeing Defence UK to deliver Apache and Chinook maintenance and support / Picture: Getty/iStock/lloyd-horgan
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. It will help ensure our armed forces remain equipped to meet both current and future operational challenges with confidence and resilience.”
The agreement, expected to continue until April 2029, covers ongoing aircraft support, maintenance, supply chain management, training, and integration services.
Thom Breckenridge, managing director of Boeing Defence UK, added: “Boeing Defence UK has a proud legacy of delivering sustainment, maintenance, training, and integration services for the UK armed forces. We are honored to deepen our support for the UK’s Apache and Chinook fleets through the Rotary Wing Enterprise programme. By consolidating support contracts, Boeing Defence UK will provide a more integrated and efficient service to the Ministry of Defence, enhancing platform readiness and sustaining over 700 highly skilled jobs.”
