Airbus supplying helos for British military training

OXFORD, England, May 20 (UPI) -- Airbus Helicopters U.K. is to provide a mixed fleet of H135 and H145 aircraft to Ascent Flight Training for the training of military pilots and crew.

The contract issued by Ascent is worth about $730 million over 17 years and includes provision of service solutions.

Ascent, a joint venture between Babcock International and Lockheed Martin, will use the aircraft in training services it is providing to the British military to support the U.K.'s Military Flying Training System.

Delivery of the helicopters will be conducted over the next 18 months.

"As demonstrated across the globe, our dedicated focus on customer success, coupled with the outstanding performance of our H135 and H145 aircraft, will ensure that the MOD will benefit from best-in-class training assets," said Colin James, managing director of Airbus Helicopters in the U.K.

"Airbus Helicopters is today Britain's leading civil helicopter company and, by leveraging our expertise in the development and support of the UK's emergency, police and military helicopter fleets, our highly skilled British workforce will deliver an unmatched helicopter service provision for UKMFTS."