A major £28 million investment to upgrade the airfield at RAF Coningsby is now under way.

The project, managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), is designed to ensure the Lincolnshire station remains fully equipped to defend UK airspace.

VolkerFitzpatrick has been appointed to deliver significant improvements to the Station's Air Operating Surfaces, which will include extensive work on the airfield's taxiways and apron areas. AECOM is also joining the project team as the Technical Services Provider.

RAF Coningsby serves as one of only two Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) stations in the UK. This critical role requires pilots and ground personnel to be on standby 24 hours a day, ready to launch Typhoon fighter jets at a moment's notice. The station currently hosts the frontline 3 (Fighter) and XI (Fighter) Squadrons, alongside 29 Squadron, which is responsible for training future Typhoon pilots.

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The operational nature of the station presents a unique challenge for the construction teams, as all work must be meticulously planned to ensure that the airfield's 24-hour alert status is never compromised. Dan Wilmott, DIO Project Manager, commented:

"This is an important investment in one of the UK's most operationally significant air stations. RAF Coningsby's role in defending UK airspace never stops, so delivering these improvements while maintaining the constant readiness of the Quick Reaction Alert has required careful planning. We're proud to be supporting the personnel at RAF Coningsby with upgraded facilities that will serve the station for years to come."

Station Commander, Group Captain Andy Hampshire, emphasised that the defence of the nation remains the RAF's highest priority. He noted that the QRA is at the forefront of that task and expressed his gratitude to industry partners for ensuring the refurbishment does not hinder the station's vital operations.

Keith Maplethorpe, Operations Director at VolkerFitzpatrick, added: "We are proud to play a key role in delivering these vital upgrades at RAF Coningsby. This investment strengthens one of the UK's most strategically important air stations, ensuring that its teams can continue to protect our airspace around the clock."

The project is currently scheduled for completion in October 2026, providing the station with modernised infrastructure capable of supporting its high-readiness missions for many years.