A PROJECT worth almost £100-million will kickstart the major rebuilding of Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose — Helston home of the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare helicopter fleet. 

This first phase will see the construction of a new air engineering training school, and a new hangar and refurbishment of existing buildings for 820 Naval Air Squadron, the helicopter unit dedicated to protecting the navy’s aircraft carrier strike groups. 

At a meeting on Thursday, it was announced that a contract for the work has been awarded to Kier Construction, with Mott MacDonald providing technical services. The total cost is £99.5-million and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2028.

Captain Stuart Irwin, the air station’s commanding officer, said: “This project marks the start of an exciting regeneration and investment in RNAS Culdrose with new, modern facilities.

“The Engineering Training School is at the heart of our operations to maintain the Merlin helicopter fleet. Our young people, many of whom are at the start of their naval careers, will learn how to maintain aircraft in a high-tech and modern teaching environment. 

“The refurbishment of aircraft hangars and buildings at 820 Naval Air Squadron is another significant investment. It will provide us with more suitable and sustainable places to operate Merlin Helicopter Force, now and into the future.”

The work is being managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), whose programme director Daniel Ross, said: “I’m delighted we are able to celebrate this significant milestone at RNAS Culdrose, marking the next phase of collaboration with our suppliers and the Royal Navy.

“Building on the sustainable designs already delivered, the project will continue to contribute towards Defence’s net-zero targets and ultimately enhance our military capability." 

The deputy head of Royal Navy Infrastructure, Stu Johnston, said this was an important step in the ongoing regeneration of RNAS Culdrose over the next 10 years. Later projects planned over the next ten years, which are still to be finalised and awarded contracts, will involve the extensive rebuilding of the living quarters including new messes and wardroom. 

“The DIO and Navy Infrastructure teams have worked closely with the air station to develop what will be hangar and training facilities fit for the modern Royal Navy, and that reflect our wider sustainability and energy efficiency ambitions.” he said.

RNAS Culdrose is home to the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare helicopter fleet, and houses the Engineering Training School responsible for delivering fully trained engineers to support Merlin helicopter operations.

The project covers a combination of demolition, construction within the same site footprint, and refurbishment of existing buildings. New and refurbished sites will feature integrated water-saving measures, net-zero carbon emissions, solar panels, energy efficient lighting and air source heat pumps, all to improve energy efficiency and contribute to carbon reduction.