Leonardo has opened a helicopter maintenance and support facility at Elstree Aerodrome as the company expands its UK aerospace presence following its £1 billion New Medium Helicopter programme contract.

The Hertfordshire site becomes Leonardo’s 10th operational location in the UK and adds manufacturer-approved maintenance, logistics and technical support capability for the company’s civil helicopter fleet operating across the UK and Ireland.

The facility will support Leonardo Helicopters used across emergency medical services, search and rescue, offshore energy and VIP transport operations, with around 30 aircraft from the regional fleet supporting community and specialist missions.

Leonardo’s investment expands sovereign aerospace capability while improving direct access to OEM-backed maintenance and support for UK and Irish operators. The company will continue working alongside established UK service providers as it increases its in-country operational presence.

The Elstree hub will also support long-term engineering recruitment, with Leonardo planning workforce growth over the coming years and targeting early-career engineers and technicians.

Leonardo will work with the University of Hertfordshire to provide industrial input into engineering courses aimed at developing industry-ready graduates for the aerospace sector.

Operated through Leonardo Belgium, which oversees after-sales support, logistics and maintenance activities for civil and public service helicopters across Europe, the facility also links the company’s continental logistics network with UK engineering operations.

Vittorio Della Bella, SVP customer support and training services at Leonardo Helicopters, says: “The opening of our Elstree facility marks an important step in strengthening our support for Leonardo’s civil helicopter customers in the UK and Ireland. This brings us closer to our customers, enhances our responsiveness and reinforces our commitment to delivering the highest standards of OEM support in a market that depends on reliability, quality and long-term resilience.”

Clive Higgins, chief executive officer, Leonardo UK, adds: “This investment reflects our enduring belief in the UK’s aerospace excellence and in the importance of long-term customer partnerships. By strengthening our national presence, we are giving our UK customers confidence that critical maintenance and support will be assured for decades to come, providing certainty and peace of mind over the full life of their aircraft. At the same time, we are creating meaningful opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled engineers who will sustain the UK’s aerospace industry far into the future.”

Leonardo says more than 200 of its helicopters operate across the UK and Ireland, including aircraft from the AW109, AW139, AW169 and AW189 families.