A MAKER of helicopter engines says its plan to win new Ministry of Defence contracts would create substantial numbers of Hampshire jobs.

Safran has launched its bid to provide updated engines for the Royal Navy’s Merlin helicopter and make engines for the forthcoming New Medium Helicopter.

Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond joined Safran Helicopter Engines UK chief executive Nick Earl to launch the bid at the company’s Segensworth Business Park base.

The company employs 160 people but says if the bid to equip the MoD’s New Medium Helicopter with its Aneto-1K engines is successful, that number will increase substantially.

Key parts of the engine would be manufactured on the site and all maintenance and overhaul would be performed at Segensworth.

Flick Drummond praised Safran’s involvement in British aerospace and engineering. The company supplies more than half the helicopter engines across the UK’s three armed services.

“I am delighted to support Safran by co-hosting this launch event for their New Medium Helicopter engine campaign,” she said.

“I am extremely proud to have a company like Safran in my constituency.

“Safran delivers high-value technical capabilities and provides vital support to helicopter operators across the UK, including many who play critical roles in our defence and security.”

Safran is supporting a bid by helicopter manufacturer Leonardo to provide the New Medium Helicopter.

If Safran’s engine is used, the company says it would guarantee UK jobs across industry for decades to come including jobs and supply chain opportunities in Meon Valley and across Hampshire.

The Ministry of Defence is expected to formally launch the competition for the contracts in the coming months.

Safran Helicopter Engines is the only manufacturer dedicated exclusively to rotorcraft turbines. It employs 5,900 people and has more than 2,500 customers in 155 countries, with 22,000 engines in service.

The French-headquartered company has been in the UK since the 1970s as AMES Limited, Microturbo Limited and Turbomeca Ltd.