2 min read - 19 Jun, 2026
Leonardo secures MOD military aircraft spares contract
The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has awarded an initial £27m contract to Leonardo UK to supply critical aircraft consumable spares across the UK’s entire fixed-wing and rotary-wing fleet.
The Aircraft Commodity Consumables (ACC) contract will sustain defence aviation capability for up to seven years, with a total potential investment of up to £70m. The contract supports 75 jobs across the UK defence industry, predominantly based in Edinburgh, Coningsby and Bristol.
The three-year contract, with the option to extend for four additional one-year periods, covers the sourcing of approximately 11,000 NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs) – the standardised catalogue references used to identify and procure military equipment. The agreement ensures a reliable and uninterrupted supply of airworthy consumable spares essential for keeping aircraft operational, from blind rivets and washers to cable ties and face masks – all of which play an important role in mission readiness.
Picture: UK MOD © Crown copyright
Aircraft covered under the contract include Typhoon fighter jets, Apache and Chinook helicopters, and A400M and C-17 transport aircraft, several of which are currently deployed in support of live operations in the Middle East. The ACC contract, therefore, plays a direct role in sustaining the UK’s ability to project military force and respond to international commitments.
The contract introduces a smarter, hybrid approach to equipment management, distinguishing between fast-moving high-demand items, managed proactively by Leonardo directly against stores availability and slow-moving low-demand items, handled through a more traditional as-and-when model. Leonardo will also take responsibility for spares modelling and forecasting, proactive maintenance, stock procurement, and obsolescence management.
Crucially, the new contract consolidates equipment management at depot level rather than supplying individual units directly – a change from its predecessor that delivers a more efficient and cost-effective model. This approach represents a significant improvement in how consumable spares are managed across defence aviation, reducing complexity and improving responsiveness across the entire fleet.
Picture: UK MOD © Crown copyright
Lisa Thorne, NAD head of support capabilities and commodities, said: “We are very proud and privileged to be working with Leonardo, one of our key suppliers. This contract provides vital services across multiple air platforms, ensuring operational readiness and enhanced capability for our forces.”
David Arrowsmith, vice president, support and service solutions UK at Leonardo, added: “Leonardo is proud to have been awarded the ACC contract and to deepen our long-standing partnership with the MOD. This contract reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, innovative support solutions that keep the RAF’s aircraft mission-ready. By taking ownership of the full supply chain, from forecasting and procurement through to obsolescence management, we are best placed to provide the MOD with the responsiveness and efficiency that modern defence operations demand.”
