The UK government awarded Boeing Defence UK a three-year £879 million ($1.19 billion) contract on April 15, 2026, to maintain and support the British Army’s Apache attack helicopters and Royal Air Force Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. This deal consolidates both fleets under a single agreement for the first time, marking the inaugural award under the UK’s Rotary Wing Enterprise framework.
The contract ensures mission readiness for these critical rotary-wing assets, vital for army attack operations and RAF heavy-lift missions. It sustains approximately 1,200 UK jobs, with over 700 at Boeing Defence UK and 500 in the domestic supply chain.
Scope includes engineering, depth maintenance, aircrew and maintainer training, supply-chain management, and technical services. This unified approach streamlines logistics and reduces operational overheads for the Ministry of Defence.
The framework positions Boeing as a key player in sustaining Britain’s helicopter capabilities amid evolving defence priorities. Operational efficiency gains from integration could enhance fleet availability and cut long-term costs.