Leaders from RAF Lakenheath, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Air Force Civil Engineer Centre, West Suffolk County Council and Kier VolkerFitzpatrick
A joint venture between Kier and VolkerFitzpatrick has won a £160m contract to deliver new infrastructure to prepare RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk to become the first permanent home in Europen of the US Air Force F-35 fighter jet.
The F-35 Beddown programme, which is part of a wider programme of work to support US Air Force operations in the UK, will involve the construction and renovation of a number of buildings and infrastructure projects on the site, including a six-bay flight simulator, an aircraft maintenance unit, new hangars, and 42 aircraft parking options.
The JV will provide training opportunities to ex armed forces personnel and local residents as part of the project, as well as hosting meet-the-buyer events and procuring at least 40% of the supply chain within a 75-mile radius of the site.
Main construction works are set to begin in summer 2019, following extensive enabling works, ready for arrival of the aircraft from November 2021.
James Hindes, managing director of aviation and defence at Kier, said: “We’re extremely proud to have been appointed to deliver another prestigious defence project for the DIO. It builds on our extensive expertise in the defence sector delivering first-class projects within secure environments including facilities at MoD Lyneham and RAF Shawbury.
“We look forward to working closely with the DIO and our local supply chain to provide this crucial infrastructure and deliver this exciting opportunity ready for the arrival of the two permanent squadrons.”
Chris Evans, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Civils division, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this highly significant project with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). VolkerFitzpatrick has been working with the United States Air Force at RAF Lakenheath for over ten years and we look forward to bringing the knowledge we have gained to this new contract.
The project will allow us to build on our substantial experience within the civil airports and defence sector, to deliver the highest quality infrastructure for the new F-35 Fighter Jet.”
