Elbit Systems UK’s joint venture Affinity Flying Training Services receives approximately £65 million uplift from UK MOD
8 November 2021
London, 8 November 2021 – Elbit Systems UK’s joint venture with KBR, Affinity Flying Training Services Ltd (Affinity), has received a circa £65million contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the operation of four additional Texan T-6C aircraft over a 12-year period.
The addition and operation of the new aircraft will provide increased training support and an uplift in training and flight hours for the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme with full capability in place by 2024.
This expansion of delivery capacity follows the procurement of four Texan T-6C aircraft from Textron Aviation Defense, which have been kept in readiness. The four additional Texan T-6C aircraft will be operated predominantly from Affinity’s site at RAF Valley, where they will join the 10 existing Texans that are already in service.
This uplift will provide employment for some 30 additional staff, boosting the local economy and supporting skills development in the region, while also growing Affinity’s delivery capacity through upgrades to key facilities.
The UKMFTS programme is a partnering agreement between UK Front Line Commands, the UK MOD, Ascent Flight Training and other leading industry partners to deliver aircrew training for the 21st century.
Affinity supports pilot training, procurement, operations and maintenance services, at RAF Cranwell, RAF Barkston Heath and RAF Valley on three different types of aircraft used by the UKMFTS programme. Since its formation in 2016, Affinity has delivered over 20,000 flying hours across the UK.
Affinity Managing Director Iain Chalmers commented:
I am delighted that we are able to make a further contribution to the UK MFTS programme. This has been a fully collaborative effort with the UK MOD, Textron Aviation Defense and Ascent Flight Training. We, our colleagues in Textron and our UK partners in MFTS remain committed to supporting and delivering an excellent training system for the UK Ministry of Defence, while also providing opportunities for future innovation in training delivery in line with the Royal Air Force’s Astra Campaign to build the next generation of pilots.
Martin Fausset, CEO Elbit Systems UK said:
This contract represents a significant step for the training of Royal Navy and RAF pilots. Following the successful delivery of the first phase of Affinity’s flying training programme, we are delighted to build and strengthen our partnership with the UK MOD as we support the training of the pilots of the future.
For Elbit Systems UK media enquiries please contact:
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 20 7866 2487
- Email:
- [email protected]
About Affinity:
Affinity Flying Training Services is a 50-50 joint venture between Elbit Systems UK and KBR.
About Elbit Systems UK
Elbit Systems UK Ltd. holds four wholly owned subsidiaries as well as two joint ventures. In total, over 600 personnel are employed by the Elbit Systems UK companies in the UK, in high tech roles in the defence, aerospace and rail sectors. The two joint ventures were formed in order to deliver the Watchkeeper programme for the British Army and to supply and support three fleets of aircraft within the UK MOD Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme. Elbit Systems UK is an established supplier to the UK Armed Forces participating in a several major Defence programmes, such as Selborne and Morpheus, and delivering the Dismounted Joint Fires Integrator and Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer.
About KBR, Inc.
KBR is a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program lifecycle within the Government Solutions and Energy sectors. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide (including our joint ventures), with customers in more than 80 countries, and operations in 40 countries.