MOD awards contract to build Typhoon facilities in Moray
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a £23million contract to deliver new accommodation and support facilities at RAF Lossiemouth to help enable Typhoon fast jets to operate from the base.
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) – the MOD’s property and services provider – has awarded the contract to Turner Estate Solutions, its existing Regional Prime Contractor responsible for delivering infrastructure work inScotland.
Turner Estate Solutions will undertake the work in around 14 months. This builds on some £17 million of works already in progress at the Moray airbase.
This work will deliver much-needed infrastructure required to support Typhoon operations 365 days per year. Significantly, this vital upgrade will provide the home for II (Army Cooperation) Sqn, the third Typhoon squadron to stand up at RAF Lossiemouth.
It will include operational planning, mission briefing and management functions, provision of secure under-cover aircraft storage, engineering management and control functions required to support the effective operation of the Royal Air Force’s front-line Typhoon aircraft at the airbase.
DIO Director of Finance and Commercial Marcus Leek said:
“DIO’s priority is to enhance the service we provide to Defence and build a better estate – the right buildings in the right places.
“We’re delighted to award this contract to Turner Estate Solutions and look forward to delivering the facilities required to further enhance RAF Lossiemouth as a front-line operating base for theUK’s Typhoon force.”
The award of this contract follows the Basing Review announcement in July 2011, which stated the Typhoon Force would relocate from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth. Earlier this year two Squadrons from RAF Leuchars – Number 1 (Fighter) and 6 Squadrons – relocated to RAF Lossiemouth. As announced in December 2013 they will be joined by Number II (Army Co-operation) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth in April 2015.
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Further information:
Press enquiries to Tony Moran, Senior Communications Officer 0121 311 3879 or email tony.moran572@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1) The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
2) DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
3) Our work includes supporting operational units by providing and improving single living and service family accommodation; training areas and historic military sites. DIO actively manages these to ensure the needs of Defence are met, value for money is achieved, and its heritage is protected, and to achieve its environmental goals.
4) Following the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2010, the Basing Review announced in July 2011, that the Typhoon Force would relocate from RAF Leuchars to RAF Lossiemouth, and that Leuchars would transition to Army control in 2015.
5) In the interim period, before the new accommodation is available, elements of Number II (Army Co-operation) will share hangar accommodation with No 6 Squadron.
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