The Royal Navy has now received back into service all 25 HC3/3A Merlin helicopters that have been upgraded to the maritime HC4/4A Merlin Commando standard. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK has upgraded the last of its Leonardo Merlin HC3/3A (latterly the interim iHC3/3A standard) transport and assault helicopters for littoral use by the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines (RM).

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the milestone on 2 December, saying all 19 HC3 and six HC3A Merlin helicopters are now at the HC4/4A Commando Merlin standard, and ready to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces through to their planned out-of-service date (OSD) of 2030.

“The 25 aircraft have been updated by Leonardo Helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence,” the MoD said.

The Royal Navy has now received back into service all 25 HC3/3A Merlin helicopters that have been upgraded to the maritime HC4/4A Merlin Commando standard. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK has upgraded the last of its Leonardo Merlin HC3/3A (latterly the interim iHC3/3A standard) transport and assault helicopters for littoral use by the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines (RM).

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the milestone on 2 December, saying all 19 HC3 and six HC3A Merlin helicopters are now at the HC4/4A Commando Merlin standard, and ready to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces through to their planned out-of-service date (OSD) of 2030.

“The 25 aircraft have been updated by Leonardo Helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence,” the MoD said.

The Royal Navy has now received back into service all 25 HC3/3A Merlin helicopters that have been upgraded to the maritime HC4/4A Merlin Commando standard. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK has upgraded the last of its Leonardo Merlin HC3/3A (latterly the interim iHC3/3A standard) transport and assault helicopters for littoral use by the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines (RM).

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the milestone on 2 December, saying all 19 HC3 and six HC3A Merlin helicopters are now at the HC4/4A Commando Merlin standard, and ready to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces through to their planned out-of-service date (OSD) of 2030.

“The 25 aircraft have been updated by Leonardo Helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence,” the MoD said.

The Royal Navy has now received back into service all 25 HC3/3A Merlin helicopters that have been upgraded to the maritime HC4/4A Merlin Commando standard. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK has upgraded the last of its Leonardo Merlin HC3/3A (latterly the interim iHC3/3A standard) transport and assault helicopters for littoral use by the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines (RM).

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the milestone on 2 December, saying all 19 HC3 and six HC3A Merlin helicopters are now at the HC4/4A Commando Merlin standard, and ready to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces through to their planned out-of-service date (OSD) of 2030.

“The 25 aircraft have been updated by Leonardo Helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence,” the MoD said.

The Royal Navy has now received back into service all 25 HC3/3A Merlin helicopters that have been upgraded to the maritime HC4/4A Merlin Commando standard. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK has upgraded the last of its Leonardo Merlin HC3/3A (latterly the interim iHC3/3A standard) transport and assault helicopters for littoral use by the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines (RM).

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the milestone on 2 December, saying all 19 HC3 and six HC3A Merlin helicopters are now at the HC4/4A Commando Merlin standard, and ready to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces through to their planned out-of-service date (OSD) of 2030.

“The 25 aircraft have been updated by Leonardo Helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence,” the MoD said.

The Royal Navy has now received back into service all 25 HC3/3A Merlin helicopters that have been upgraded to the maritime HC4/4A Merlin Commando standard. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

The UK has upgraded the last of its Leonardo Merlin HC3/3A (latterly the interim iHC3/3A standard) transport and assault helicopters for littoral use by the Royal Navy (RN) and Royal Marines (RM).

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the milestone on 2 December, saying all 19 HC3 and six HC3A Merlin helicopters are now at the HC4/4A Commando Merlin standard, and ready to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and other UK forces through to their planned out-of-service date (OSD) of 2030.

“The 25 aircraft have been updated by Leonardo Helicopters under the Merlin Life Sustainment Programme (MLSP) negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence,” the MoD said.