£100 million rebuilding of RNAS Culdrose navy base, Cornwall

This first phase will see the construction of a new air engineering training school, and a new hangar and refurbishment of existing buildings for 820 Naval Air Squadron, the helicopter unit dedicated to protecting the navy’s aircraft carrier strike groups.

At a meeting on Thursday (October 24), it was announced that a contract for the work, at the air station in Cornwall, has been awarded to Kier Construction, and that Mott MacDonald will provide technical services.

A proposed impression of the new Engineering Training School at RNAS Culdrose (Image: Supplied)

The total cost is £ 99.5million and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2028. 

Later projects planned over the next ten years for RNAS Culdrose, which are still to be finalised and awarded contracts, will involve the extensive rebuilding of the living quarters at the navy base, including new messes and the wardroom.

Captain Stuart Irwin, the air station’s commanding officer, said: “This project marks the start of an exciting regeneration and investment in RNAS Culdrose with new, modern facilities.

L to R:  Andy Roberts of Mott MacDonald; Stu Johnson, Deputy Head of Navy Infrastructure; Cpt Stuart Irwin, Culdrose CO; Doug Lloyd of Kier Construction; and Dan Ross of DIO (Image: Crown Copyright)

“The Engineering Training School is at the heart of our operations to maintain the Merlin helicopter fleet.

“Our young people, many of whom are just at the start of their naval careers, will learn how to maintain aircraft in a high-tech and modern teaching environment.

“The refurbishment of aircraft hangars and buildings at 820 Naval Air Squadron is another significant investment. It will provide us with more suitable and sustainable places to operate Merlin Helicopter Force now, and into the future.”

A proposed impression of the new Engineering Training School at RNAS Culdrose (Image: Supplied) The work is being managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), whose programme director Daniel Ross, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to celebrate this significant milestone at RNAS Culdrose, marking the next phase of collaboration with our suppliers and the Royal Navy.

“Building on the sustainable designs already delivered, the project will continue to contribute towards Defence’s net-zero targets and ultimately enhance our military capability." 

The deputy head of Royal Navy Infrastructure, Stu Johnston, said this was an important step in the ongoing regeneration of RNAS Culdrose over the next ten years.

Engineers maintain a Merlin Mk2 helicopter at 820 Naval Air Squadron (Image: Supplied) “The DIO and Navy Infrastructure teams have worked closely with the air station to develop what will be hangar and training facilities fit for the modern Royal Navy, and that reflect our wider sustainability and energy efficiency ambitions,” he said.

Doug Lloyd, the regional director for Kier Construction, added: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and the Royal Navy to deliver these new facilities. 

"We have a wealth of experience in delivering buildings of the highest quality across the defence estate and are proud to be creating this important enabler to the UK’s future defence capability.” 

The current Air Engineering School in the Duke of Cornwall building (Image: Supplied) The project covers a combination of demolition, construction within the same site footprint, and refurbishment of existing buildings.

New and refurbished sites will have sustainability as a key feature, including integrated water-saving measures, net-zero carbon emissions, solar panels, energy efficient lighting, and air source heat pumps to improve energy efficiency and contribute to carbon reduction.