Coastguard to get new helicopters in PFI
A DECISION is imminent on which firms will build and service new helicopters for the coastguard’s search-and-rescue operations under a £3 billion private-finance initiative (PFi).
The search and rescue helicopter PFi, or sAr-h, is to run the rescue operations of both the RAF and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Overseen jointly by the Ministry of Defence and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, it will combine support functions and equipment for the UK and Falkland islands. the contract will start in 2012 and run for up to 30 years.
Vt group, formerly Vosper thornycroft, has joined with Lockheed Martin and British international helicopters to bid for the giant PFi. the team, called AirKnight, has proposed using Eurocopter’s EC 225, which would be built in Europe.
It is up against a rival team that includes defence group thales, helicopter firm ChC and royal Bank of scotland. that team’s helicopter would be American-built.
A source said: “if AirKnight is knocked out even more military rotor-craft manufacturing will be done by the Us.”
Last year, the government announced plans to order 22 Boeing Chinooks, putting a question mark over the future of British helicopter manufacturing as these transporters are American-built.