Senior ministers set to travel in government-owned aircraft after ‘grossly wasteful’ contract axed

Senior ministers set to travel in government-owned aircraft after ‘grossly wasteful’ contract axed

  • tal@lemmy.todayEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    In 2023, Mr Sunak reversed an initial decision to stop leasing the two Agusta Westland helicopters.

    Senior ministers will instead use government-owned vehicles such as RAF helicopters when needed for operational reasons

    It looks like these Sloane guys operate AgustaWestland 109E helicopters.

    https://www.sloanehelicopters.com/flight-operations/32-squadron

    So what are these RAF helicopters that will replace them?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_United_Kingdom_military_aircraft

    They do have one category there of RAF helicopters for transport of government ministers

    Leonardo AW109SP Used for transportation of senior military commanders or government ministers.[31]

    I mean, that’s…the next model of the same helicopter. Is that actually less-expensive?

    • Deceptichum@quokk.auEnglish
      1·
      3 months ago

      Pretty sure the expensive part is hiring a 3rd party to do the job instead of themselves, not the operating costs of the vehicle.