UK Merlin Mk4/4a programme hit by delays
The UK's ongoing AW101 Merlin Mk4/4a delivery programme has been delayed beyond its original end date of December 2020 after manufacturer Leonardo and the MoD agreed to extend final aircraft handover to 2021.
The new plan was settled on by both parties last year, according to a Leonardo spokesperson, who failed to directly disclose the cause of delay, saying only that the latest schedule is intended to 'benefit the forward fleet'.
Of a 25 strong fleet, 21 Mk4/4a helicopters are due to make up a forward fleet, operated by the Commando Helicopter Force.
In May last year, Graham Russell
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