Kier and VolkerFitzpatrick have landed a £160 million contract to deliver a number of construction and renovation projects at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

The joint venture (JV) partnership will carry out works under the F-35 Beddown Programme, preparing RAF Lakenheath as the first permanent home in Europe of the US Air Force F-35 Fighter Jet.

Construction projects include a six-bay flight simulator, an aircraft maintenance unit, new hangars, and 42 aircraft parking aprons.

Main construction works are set to begin in summer 2019, following extensive enabling works, ready for arrival of the aircraft from November 2021.

Chris Evans, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick's Civils division, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this highly significant project with the 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.

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"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."

The JV will focus on local community engagement during the project as well as addressing the skills shortage with a a Skills and Training Academy that will provide training opportunities for local residents and ex armed forces personnel.

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."

Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Commercial Director, Jacqui Rock, added: "We welcome this investment into RAF Lakenheath.

"This is an incredible opportunity for UK Defence and for the local area and DIO is pleased to be able to support the development of this key infrastructure which will make the beddown of the US F-35s possible."

(CM/MH)