MoD training privatised

Helicopter pilots for the Army, Navy and Air Force will receive their basic flying training from a privately run training school from next April, in the MoD's biggest privatisation so far, it confirmed yesterday.

The pounds 400m contract to run the tri-service Defence Helicopter Flying School and train 230 pilots, navigators and aircrew a year is expected to go to FBS Ltd, Armed Forces' Minister Nicholas Soames said. The privatisation of basic training is designed to save pounds 77m over the next 15 years. Christopher Bellamy