Defence giant Leonardo has secured a 拢610m helicopter upgrade contract with the Canadian government.

The firm, which has a base in Yeovil, Somerset for its 海角视频- based helicopter business, will upgrade 13 in-service Cormorant search and rescue helicopters for Canada鈥檚 Department of National Defence. It will also support the addition of three further aircraft to the fleet.

Leonardo said it would enhance the Cormorant鈥檚 systems and technologies as part of its work to extend the life expectancy of the fleet to beyond 2042.

The firm will be supported by its principal Canadian subcontractor IMP Aerospace and Defence together with General Electric Canada, and Collins Aerospace Canada. The majority of the work will be performed in Canada, primarily at IMP鈥檚 facilities Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Leonard said the project would help move the Cormorant fleet to the standard currently being delivered for search and rescue helicopters in Norway, which it said was 鈥渁rguably the best鈥 in the world.

A new glass cockpit, more powerful digitally-controlled engines, wireless in-cabin communications, the latest SAR sensors including Electro Optical Infra-Red device and Mobile Phone Detection Location System 鈥 will be installed on the helicopter as part of the upgrade.

Leonardo chief executive Alessandro Profumo, said: 鈥淟eonardo is proud to lead with our Team Cormorant partners the AW101/CH-149 鈥淐ormorant鈥 Search and Rescue helicopter fleet upgrade as announced by the Canadian government.

鈥淲ith the Cormorant helicopter the government is getting the right equipment for the Canadian Forces, at the best price for Canadians, with the right benefits for Canadian industry.鈥

Managing director Gian Piero Cutillo added 鈥淭he AW101/CH-149 鈥淐ormorant鈥 Search and Rescue helicopter fleet will provide the Royal Canadian Air Force with the sustainment of a robust, high-tech all weather SAR capability across Canada.

鈥淭he CMLU programme through Team Cormorant will reduce the cost of fleet ownership, while further increasing reliability, capability and safety for Canadian people.鈥

The deal is the latest secured by Leonardo this year, after it landed a 拢360m contract with the 海角视频 Ministry of Defence to deliver a support and training programme for the British Army鈥檚 Wildcat helicopters, an agreement it said that would sustain 340 jobs across the South West.

The firm is currently building a vast 拢30m logistics hub at its Yeovil base, which will help support its global fleet of helicopters by housing components and tools.

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