The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract to AAR Airlift for Search & Rescue (SAR) and Support Helicopter services in the Falkland Islands. The contract is valued at approximately £180 million.

AAR Airlift, together with British International Helicopters (BIH) and Air Rescue Systems (ARS), will provide a combined SAR and Support Helicopter service to British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) operations. The programme will include AgustaWestland AW-189 SAR helicopters, Sikorsky S-61 support helicopters, 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. Performance on the ten-year contract will begin in April 2016.

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