AAR Airlift has been awarded a $275 million, 10-year contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) for search-and-rescue (SAR) and support helicopter services in the Falkland Islands using AgustaWestland AW189s beginning in April next year.

SAR service in the area is currently being performed by UK Royal Air Force helicopters. British International Helicopters (BIH) provides Sikorsky S-61 support helicopters at present and will continue in this role with AW189s under the new arrangement as a subcontractor to AAR.

AAR Airlift, together with BIH and Air Rescue Systems, will provide a combined SAR and support helicopter service to the British Forces South Atlantic Islands operations. The program will include flight operations, maintenance, logistics and facilities support at the Mount Pleasant Complex in the Falkland Islands and surrounding maritime region.

The mission includes all-weather SAR, helicopter emergency medical services, rescue hoist operations, passenger and cargo transfers and night-vision imaging systems. Readiness states vary from 15 minutes to 60 minutes response and require a 24/7/365 alert posture.

“This award presents a tremendous opportunity for AAR Airlift’s business as part of our strategy to diversify our capabilities and customer base,” said Randy Martinez, president and CEO of AAR Airlift Group. “We are thrilled that our exemplary record of safety, reliability and operational performance has earned us the confidence of the UK Ministry of Defence to deliver this critical service.”

Ian Craddock, head of helicopters 2 in the MOD’s Defense Equipment and Support department, said, “We will work closely with AAR through the period of transition, with the RAF continuing to provide search-and-rescue cover until the new service starts. I am also pleased that AAR will be subcontracting British International Helicopters, which is already successfully providing support helicopter services in the Falkland Islands, to support delivery of the combined service.”

AAR Airlift provides expeditionary airlift services in support of contingency operations worldwide. Its fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft serves defense customers in Afghanistan, Africa, the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific.