Westland and Boeing win pounds 650m helicopter job

The Government has chosen a joint company of GKN's Westland Helicopters and the US planemaker Boeing to provide the training service for the British Army's WAH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

The contract is for 30 years, with an option to cancel at 20 years, and will generate some pounds 650m at today's prices, GKN said. The company said the contract would be awarded under a government public/private partnership agreement, with GKN Westland and Boeing arranging the financing of the initial investment in equipment, infrastructure and personnel and the Ministry of Defence paying for training services.