Vector Aerospace buys England's DARA units

LONDON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Defense Minister for Equipment and Support Baroness Ann Taylor announced that the British Ministry of Defense is selling its helicopter maintenance businesses.

Taylor announced the sale of the Defense Aviation Repair Agency, the Ministry of Defense's rotary wing and components businesses, based in Hampshire and Perthshire, England, to Vector Aerospace, the British Ministry of Defense reported.

"In selling DARA we are confident that we are securing a long term future for the business," Taylor said in a statement. "This is the best result for defense, for our armed forces, and for the employees. My priority is ensuring our forces out on operations have the equipment they need to do their job and it is essential that we continue to maintain our aircraft to the highest standard. "

Vector Aerospace, based in Canada, specializes in aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul for the military and civilian markets. The Ministry of Defense selected the company after a competitive bidding process. Taylor says one of the reasons for the sale was predictions that the DARA units would see a rapid decline in workload and an eventual closing of the facilities.

"We want to retain such a highly skilled and valuable workforce," Taylor said. "But with decreasing workload due to a number of our aircraft starting to go out of service, diversification into the commercial sector is the best solution."