SEA KING Survival Contract – the MoD has awarded a £285 million contract to AgustaWestland to support a fleet of “search and rescue helicopters” said the headlines in media.     This will provide technical and maintenance support to the ninety strong fleet of SEA KING helicopters on charge, which first entered service in 1969.    The fleet includes the Fleet Air Arm helicopters used to carry troops and provide airborne surveillance – it is an extension to the “Skios agreement” which the MoD originally signed with Yeovil based AgustaWestland in 2005.   This final phase of the contract will see maintenance provided until the SEA KINGs until they are retired from service in 2016.    The media reports that the SEA KING will be replaced by the MERLIN helicopters.

The only problem is that the position is unclear from the MoD press release – the SEA KING is currently in service with:-

Royal Air Force - Search and Rescue Units

22, 202 and 203 (R) Squadrons  SEA KING HAR3/3A

Fleet Air Arm - Search and Rescue Units

771 Squadron and Gannet Flight SEA KING HAR5

Fleet Air Arm – Commando Air Wing Units

845, 846 and 848 Squadrons     SEA KING HC4

Fleet Air Arm – Airborne Early Warning

849, 854 and 857 Squadrons     SEA KING ASaC7

Only the Commando Air Wing SEA KING helicopters are scheduled for replacement in 2015-2016 by the 28 Royal Air Force MERLIN HC3/3A aircraft.    No other plans for SEA KING replacements have been announced.