First Wildcat handed over at Farnborough

The first of 62 Wildcat helicopters for use by the British Army and Royal Navy has been handed over to the Ministry of Defence at the Farnborough International Air Show.

The Ministry of Defence is buying 34 Wildcats for the army and 28 of the maritime attack variant for the Royal Navy to replace existing Lynxes operating by the Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond received the first helicopter from manufacturer AgustaWestland and confirmed that Somerset-based compay has been awarded a £250m in-service training and support contract to be delivered via a specialist training centre at RNAS Yeovilton.

The contract, which will provide flight simulators and other training support, will sustain some 500 jobs.

The army Wildcats, which will largely be used for reconnaissance, are not expected to enter service until 2014, while the Royal Navy's maritime attack variant helicopters will enter service in 2015.

Both variants will carry a general purpose machine gun (GPMG) and heavy machine gun, while the maritime attack helicopter will also carry Sting Ray Torpedoes.

"Wildcat represents a considerable advance over the current Lynx helicopters, bringing greatly improved performance and capability," said Defence Secretary Philip Hammond. "The contract to provide training and support will keep them flying wherever they are needed.

"These helicopters will be a key part of the future equipment programme for the Armed Forces that will see £160bn spent over the next ten years. By balancing the budget, we can deliver the airframes and the millions of pounds of support they require."

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Peter Wall said: "This is an excellent helicopter, which is very important to the Army Air Corps. We will be seeking to get it fully operational as soon as possible."

First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope said: "With state of the art sensors, equipment and weapons, it will be an outstanding asset that will maintain Royal Naval units at the cutting edge of worldwide maritime operations."

'Wildcat' shows prowess in flying demonstration

The Royal Navy has unveiled its new helicopters during a trade visit in Korea.

 The Portsmouth-based warship HMS Lancaster welcomed the new Wildcat aircraft as South Korean naval aviators watched it land on and take off during a flying demonstration.

The helicopter is the newest AgustaWestland helicopter, the AW 159. The ‘Wildcat’ is a multi-purpose helicopter for use at sea and on land. The Ministry of Defence has ordered 62 aircraft in all, with 28 destined for the Royal Navy. The first will enter service later this year.

Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Steve Moorhouse, said: “As a former Fleet Air Arm officer it is fantastic to witness first hand this capable aircraft operate from Lancaster. "

With the visit off the south coast of England on Tuesday, HMS Lancaster became only the second Type 23 frigate to host the new aircraft.

The visit came in the middle of an eight-day trip to the UK by South Korean officers who are seeking to buy a new helicopter to fly from their new FFX class frigates which are , due in service from next year.

Sean McElliott, AgustaWestland Senior Product Marketing Manager, said: “The Republic of Korean Navy already operate Lynx aircraft and therefore the conversion to Wildcat will be relatively easy. I am very confident that we are able to offer them a helicopter that is capable of performing to the high standards expected of us.”

It is not certain that the Republic of Korea’s latest acquisition will be built in the UK, but should Wildcat be chosen an initial order will be built in Yeovil, with the potential for further orders to follow.

HMS Lancaster is the fourth of the Type 23 Frigates. She was launched by Her Majesty the Queen in May 1990 and commissioned two years later. The current HMS Lancaster is the sixth to bear the name.