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Rescue helicopters to go private Rescue helicopters to go private
(20 minutes later)
A major shake-up of the UK's search and rescue helicopter service has been announced by the government.A major shake-up of the UK's search and rescue helicopter service has been announced by the government.
The 24-hour service will be run by private consortium Soteria from 2012, from 12 bases across the UK.The 24-hour service will be run by private consortium Soteria from 2012, from 12 bases across the UK.
This service is currently provided by the RAF and Royal Navy, plus civilian helicopters through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).This service is currently provided by the RAF and Royal Navy, plus civilian helicopters through the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Soteria will provide new aircraft to replace the ageing military Sea King helicopters over a three-year period.Soteria will provide new aircraft to replace the ageing military Sea King helicopters over a three-year period.
The contract is worth £6bn over 25 years and will see the number of military aircrew reduced from 240 to 66, with civilian aircrew making up the shortfall.The contract is worth £6bn over 25 years and will see the number of military aircrew reduced from 240 to 66, with civilian aircrew making up the shortfall.
In a written statement to MPs, junior defence minister Quentin Davies said the government was working with Soteria to finalise the contract, which would be awarded later in 2010.In a written statement to MPs, junior defence minister Quentin Davies said the government was working with Soteria to finalise the contract, which would be awarded later in 2010.
'Improved performance''Improved performance'
Mr Davies said: "The entire fleet of modern helicopters, some 30% faster than the current Sea Kings, will be able to attend low-level overland night-time incidents.Mr Davies said: "The entire fleet of modern helicopters, some 30% faster than the current Sea Kings, will be able to attend low-level overland night-time incidents.
"They will have forward looking infra-red equipment and be fitted with fully integrated de-icing equipment for much improved performance in severe winter conditions, thus providing the UK with an excellent search and rescue helicopter service with the ability to save lives well into the future.""They will have forward looking infra-red equipment and be fitted with fully integrated de-icing equipment for much improved performance in severe winter conditions, thus providing the UK with an excellent search and rescue helicopter service with the ability to save lives well into the future."
At a news conference, the minister rejected suggestions that handing the service over to a private firm would put the public at risk.At a news conference, the minister rejected suggestions that handing the service over to a private firm would put the public at risk.
The Soteria consortium - which is made up of French defence company Thales, helicopter operator CHC and the Royal Bank of Scotland - plans to use the Sikorsky S92 helicopter.The Soteria consortium - which is made up of French defence company Thales, helicopter operator CHC and the Royal Bank of Scotland - plans to use the Sikorsky S92 helicopter.
Aviation writer Jim Ferguson told the BBC he was confident it would provide a good service.
"The new helicopters will be black and yellow and they'll probably be a bit noisier than what you are used to - they are faster, they are more powerful, there will be changes in operating proceedings.
"But Britain has arguably got one of the finest search and rescue helicopter organisations in the world.
"It's built up over the past 60-odd years and I'm fairly sure, having flown in an S92 and knowing members of the consortium, they will do just as well as the existing organisation."