London, 16 March 2021 – Airbus is teaming with Draken Europe to address the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) requirement for the Second Generation Search and Rescue (UKSAR2G) service.

Airbus and Draken present a UK-based partnership demonstrating an extensive track record in delivering critical Search and Rescue services around the world, an ethos of technological advancement and innovation combined with sound financial resilience. 

The combination of the proven-in-service SAR product and support capabilities of Airbus, a global leader in aerospace, with the extensive operational experience of Draken, a supplier of mission critical aviation services to the UK Government and global customers, will allow us to offer a comprehensive next generation enhancement to the MCA’s current SAR service while ensuring the robust continuity of its life-saving operations.

Together, Airbus and Draken will deliver a total system solution which will seamlessly deploy advanced helicopter, fixed wing and unmanned aircraft supported by a diverse array of integrated mission-critical technologies enabling the delivery of a timely SAR response whenever and wherever it is needed.

Together Airbus and Draken Europe employ more than 12,000 highly skilled aerospace professionals in the UK and sustain well over 110,000 jobs at some 2,500 supplier companies across the country.

Airbus Helicopters UK Managing Director, Colin James, said: “We have enormous respect for the long history, traditions and the dedicated workforce of the MCA’s current SAR operations. With Draken we are fully focused on this opportunity to deliver the next generation SAR service deploying our innovative technologies and practices, integrated with our proven high performance and advanced aircraft.”

Draken Europe CEO Paul Armstrong said: “The complementary skills of our well-matched companies with our combined vast expertise, innovation and decades of experience in building, operating and supporting SAR helicopters and special mission fixed wing aircraft will allow us to offer a compelling SAR2G proposal to the MCA. With Airbus we will deliver a service that offers resilience and value for money but most importantly a service that will always respond to distress whenever needed.”

Source: Airbus