Draken secure Teesside Airport future operations as part of new defence deal

Aviation services and technology firm Draken has secured its Teesside Airport operations for the future after agreeing a new deal with the Ministry of Defence.

The company has confirmed it will renew its agreement with the MOD – securing its Teesside operations for another four years after the firm signed a new £173million contract with the MoD to support military training with the RAF.

The deal comes after the opening in 2022 of a new hangar built to accommodate Draken’s fleet of Alca L-159E “Honey Badger” aircraft.

Draken’s experienced ex-military fighter pilots regularly fly against the RAF over the North Sea as part of the “enemy” force in training for Lightning and Typhoon fighter pilots.

Draken Europe – previously Cobham Aviation – has been located at the airport for more than 25 years, and in 2020 signed a long-term deal to continue to operate out of Teesside.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This new agreement is outstanding news for our airport and further demonstrates the importance of Teesside Airport, both to our regional economy, and national security, and I am pleased that the Government recognise this too.

“I’m proud we have Draken at our airport – the role they play preparing our armed forces so that they’re primed to protect our great nation is essential. We want to see Draken expand its operations at Teesside and this is a huge boost to those aspirations.

“We are delivering real growth, supporting the creation of high-skilled, well-paid jobs and driving millions of pounds of investment in the local economy. Our airport is a huge part of this, and we can really see momentum is building.

“Positive news is being announced week in, week out – from new flights to Malaga, to new businesses opening – and we will not stop in our efforts to ensure Teesside Airport grows and delivers for the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Phil Forster, Managing Director of Teesside Airport, added: “Draken has been a valued airport partner for many years, and they provide a vital service to the UK.

“This agreement is very good news for our airport’s future, and I am confident we can secure even closer ties with Draken.”

Draken will also enrol a minimum of 12 apprentices at both its Teesside and Bournemouth sites.

Nic Anderson, CEO at Draken, said: “We are proud to continue serving the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the Army through the Interim Medium Speed Operational Readiness Training Services.

“Our purpose is to provide leading edge operational training to help the warfighter to be ready to fight and win. Through this ground-breaking contract we will continually innovate to improve their training experience.

“Thank you to the whole Draken team who work relentlessly to support our customers, it is the high performance that the Draken team delivers every day that has enabled this contract win.”

Air Officer Commanding 1 Group, Air Vice Marshal Mark Flewin said: “Our partnership with Draken is of fundamental importance as we continue to train and prepare all of our front-line forces to meet emerging threats across the globe.

“The training delivered to date, simulating adversary threats while also allowing us to train in a representative and contested electro-magnetic environment, has never been more important to ensure the Royal Air Force is ready and able to support NATO and meet the threats of tomorrow.

“The contract will allow us to continue to evolve the high-end training available for all of our front-line forces, as we look to out-compete our potential adversaries.”

The Draken deal is the latest in a string of positive announcements for Teesside Airport Business Park.

On Tuesday, Willis Aviation Services Limited (WASL) confirmed it had agreed a long-term deal with TUI Airways to provide base maintenance for TUI’s Boeing 737NG fleet at Teesside.

It follows a separate agreement earlier this month which will see Willis carry out in-depth “C-Checks” on Jet2’s 737s at Teesside.

The deals also come after award-winning vehicle repairer ABL 1 Touch was revealed as the new tenant at its state-of-the-art facility at Teesside International Airport Business Park this month.

It occupies a 25,105sq ft unit at the £200million Business Park which saw a mile-long link road connecting the development to the A67 completed last year. The business park will ultimately create 4,400 jobs when fully operational.

Autumn also saw the opening of a new aircraft painting facility at Teesside Airport Business Park by Airbourne Colours which saw a £6.5million investment and the creation of 40 jobs.

For further information on development opportunities and available property at Teesside Airport, contact commercial agents Colliers or AREA.