JOBS have been secured after the Prime Minister David Cameron announced a £420million contract to service Chinook helicopters.
The five-year deal with defence industry giant Boeing will see technical support for Chinooks provided at RAF Odiham sustained.
It will also sustain 450 jobs at Fleetlands, Gosport, for the “in-service support” of the twin-rotored helicopters.
Mr Cameron announced the Ministry of Defence deal during a visit to Portsmouth on Tuesday.
He said: “The Chinook support contract represents significant value for money for what is a very capable and versatile support helicopter, protecting UK interests at home and abroad.
“This will sustain 450 jobs and save the taxpayer more than £150million.”
A Chinook crew performed a fly-past for the Prime Minister’s visit.
The news is the latest boost for RAF Odiham, the future of which was under threat just seven years ago under a Government cost-cutting measure called Project Belvedere.
Since its cancellation in 2008, the base has looked to make a number of infrastructure improvements, and recently completed building a £1.9million accommodation block.
It is currently receiving the new Mark 6 Chinooks, which will bring the total number of helicopters at RAF Odiham up to 60 by early 2017.
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