GTLC has been contracted by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation to design and build a new aircraft hangar with associated support buildings known as an operational conversion unit as well as to reconstruct the two runways.
The new aircraft hangar will be capable of housing 12 of the new F-35B Lightning II fast jet aircraft, from which they will deploy to Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. The contracting team will also improve existing facilities, including resurfacing two existing runways and taxiways.
Vertical landing pads will also be added to RAF Marham, accommodating the F-35B’s ability to land vertically, a capability previously covered by the Harrier jets.
GTLC starts work immediately and is expected to complete in summer 2019. The station will remain operational throughout the works.
Defence secretary Sir Michael Fallon, said: “Flying from our new Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, the F-35B aircraft will provide the UK with the ability to project our influence globally. This contract will ensure that RAF Marham has the facilities to match this world-class aircraft when it arrives next year.
“Throughout the F-35 programme, British firms have won major contracts creating thousands of jobs. The contract to improve the runways and taxiways as well as installing new landing pads will bring local jobs to Marham.
“The major investment in RAF Marham is the last of seven projects worth £250m undertaken to ready the station for the arrival of the aircraft in 2018. The contract has been awarded to a joint venture of Galliford Try and Lagan Construction Ltd, creating local jobs at RAF Marham and across East Anglia.”
Bill Hocking, chief executive of construction & investments at Galliford Try, said: “This is a hugely significant award for us with the DIO, an existing client. It demonstrates the combined strength of our Infrastructure and Building divisions which will carry out the work together and complement the international experience of our partner Lagan”.
Lagan Construction Group chief executive Kevin Anthony Lagan said: “Having completed projects on over 50 airports in five continents, airport infrastructure works are a core part of our business. Our teams are experienced in providing the engineering skills and technologies necessary to deliver both airside and groundside support facilities. We are pleased to work with the DIO again having recently completed successful contracts at RAF Akrotiri and RAF Gibraltar. We look forward to working collaboratively with our joint venture partner Galliford Try to deliver these works to the highest safety standards and within programme and cost requirements.”
Sir Michael Fallon added: “The F-35 Programme is the world’s largest single defence programme and the UK has played a major role from the outset. The F-35B Lightning aircraft is an advanced, 5th generation aircraft that the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy will fly from Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers or from Operating Bases such as RAF Marham.
“Initial flight trials for F-35 jets from HMS Queen Elizabeth Class are on track to begin in 2018, building towards delivering a carrier strike capability for the UK from 2020.”
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