600 jobs could go as MoD helicopter deal goes to US
HUNDREDS of British jobs were feared to be under threat last night as the Ministry of Defence was poised to award a £425million contract to provide Apache helicopters exclusively to a US manufacturer.
The Government’s move to buy 50 battle-ready Apaches from Boeing could put up to 600 jobs in jeopardy at the UK’s last helicopter-maker, AgustaWestland.
The controversial decision is reminiscent of the issues that triggered the Westland Affair of 1985-86 when Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine stormed out of Downing Street and quit after a row with Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over the future of the company.
While the Apache attack helicopter – which Prince Harry famously flew in combat in Afghanistan – is an American design, previously the helicopters in service with the British Army Air Corps were fitted out and serviced at AgustaWestland’s factory in Yeovil, Somerset.
But The Mail on Sunday has been told that 50 new aircraft to replace the existing fleet will be bought ‘off the shelf’ directly from Boeing, for about £8million each – saving the Government tens of millions.
Last night, AgustaWestland and Boeing refused to comment and the MoD said it expected to ‘make a decision’ by this summer.
But The Mail on Sunday understands the MoD has made up its mind and will announce the deal in July.
Ian Waddell, Unite union’s national aerospace manufacturers officer, said: ‘We will be seeking cast-iron assurances from the companies and the Ministry of Defence that the present employment levels at AgustaWestland will be maintained as a result of the Apache deal.’