[quote][b][url=/v3/forum/europe-14/topic/royal-air-force-royaume-uni-343/?post=38237#post-38237]rafighter[/url] a dit le 05/08/2007 à 18:26 :[/b]

[quote]Additional Merlin Aircraft Arrive at RAF Benson  
  
The first of six new Merlin battlefield helicopters arrived at RAF Benson yesterday to allow aircrew and groundcrew to begin training on them.  
 
The acquisition of these additional Merlin aircraft was announced by Des Browne, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 30 March as part of a package of measures to enhance battlefield support helicopter capability available to operational commanders. These aircraft will increase the Merlin Support Helicopter fleet by over 25%.  
 
Lord Drayson, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said "It would normally have taken at least three years to provide these additional aircraft via a conventional route. However, we have taken an innovative approach and, with the assistance of the Danish Government, we will be able to provide a significant boost to our support helicopter force in under 12 months. Together with the two new C-17s that will be delivered next year, these helicopters underline our commitment to providing our forces with the capabilities they need."  
 
The six Merlin were acquired from the Royal Danish Air Force under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in June 2007. The second aircraft is due to arrive at RAF Benson later this week. The remaining four are being prepared for operational use and deployment at AgustaWestland in Yeovil.  
 
The six aircraft are expected to be ready for operations in Afghanistan from March 2008.  [/quote]

source: http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.28584890.1186330758.J3RZYH8AAAEAAETbHfsAAAAD&manuel_call_cat=3&manuel_call_prod=84952&manuel_call_mod=release&modele=jdc_inter[/quote]