Leonardo launched the new five-year phase of technical assistance and integrated training services for the AW159 Wildcat helicopters (multipurpose twin-engine helicopter) of the UK Department of Defense. This phase is part of a 34-year contract signed in 2012. "The next phase of the WIST program ensures that the UK armed forces have the right equipment, training and support to meet their ongoing operational needs," he said. simon jones, Head of Training and Support Services for Leonardo Helicopters in the UK.
The latest five-year contract, worth £360 million and signed in 2021, guarantees "continuity in the provision of support services for the fleet of twin-engine helicopters in service with the British armed forces", reads a company statement . In particular, the WIST program it includes the supply of spare parts, scheduled maintenance for three years, further advanced technical assistance services to guarantee high safety standards, as well as training in a synthetic environment and on the ground for both pilots and crews and maintenance technicians.
In addition, the contract will support over 340 jobs, predominantly in the south-west of the country at the Yeovilton naval base, where the Wildcat training center and operations departments are located, and at the Leonardo plant in Yeovil, where the offices the joint teams of the WIST program are operating, made up of Leonardo and the UK Ministry of Defense personnel.
