Battle of Britain Memorial Flight fighter collection’s future secured after key support deal signed
April 14, 2026
The Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) fleet of historic World War Two aircraft will remain airworthy until at least December 2035 following the signing of a new support contract.
The new agreement will provide specialist engineering and logistics support to keep the unit’s fleet of Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft airworthy for another nine years, enabling the aircraft to continue performing at airshows and keeping their wartime legacies alive.
The future of the BBMF fighter collection is secured until at least 2035
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s (BBMF) fleet of five Supermarine Spitfires and two Hawker Hurricanes is expected to remain airworthy for another nine years after the UK Government’s National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group) awarded a multi-year support contract to Musketeer Solutions.
As reported by ADS Advance, the contract, known as SHIELD (Spitfire & Hurricane, Integrated, Engineering & Logistics Delivery), was awarded to deliver a fully integrated solution covering maintenance, repair and overhaul, spares availability, and design and production services to support the vintage fleet of aircraft.
Musketeer Solutions, based in Peterborough, UK, will act as the prime contractor leading the BBMF Fighters Industry Group (B-FIG). The B-FIG partnership brings together a collective of specialist UK-based aviation companies, which includes Kennet Aviation, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions, and Retro Track & Air, while supported by a wider network of expert suppliers.
The contract, which is reportedly worth £32 million over the period of the agreement, will support 20 UK jobs, which will include eight newly created positions. These roles will include those in skilled engineering, supply chain management and business support.
Placed by the NAD Group’s BBMF Project Team, the contract forms part of the wider BBMF Integrated Support Arrangements Programme (BISAP), which will see the BBMF’s fleet of WW2 flighter aircraft flying well into the next decade.
The agreement secures the aircraft as well as new jobs
Through SHIELD, Musketeer Solutions will draw on the expertise of the B-FIG partnership to deliver engineering, technical, and supply chain expertise. According to the NAD Group, the contract has been designed to meet the evolving needs of the Ministry of Defence while maintaining the “highest standards of airworthiness and engineering excellence” for the BBMF fleet.
The UK Government Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, stated that, given the iconic nature of the Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, ensuring their longevity was essential.
“Having defended the skies over Britain during the war and the Battle of Britain in particular, and now serving as an airborne reminder of the heroic sacrifices that many made flying the aircraft in service, it was vital that maintaining the aircraft into the next decade was essential, as the types approach their centenary years of RAF service,” Pollard commented.
Ensuring the wartime legacy of the Spitfire and Hurricane
Speaking about the new agreement, NAD Group said that the deal was an important step in securing the future of the BBMF fleet of Spitfires and Hurricanes. Group Captain Andy March OBE, NAD Group Chief Engineer for the BBMF at RAF Coningsby, said, “The SHIELD contract to keep our Spitfires and Hurricanes airborne marks a significant step forward in how we support the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight for the long term.”
“By consolidating what was a complex web of legacy contracts into a single, integrated arrangement, we are giving the BBMF the stable and sustainable foundation it needs to continue honouring those who served and to inspire the next generation of aviators.”
“This is also a strong investment in UK aerospace capability, bringing together some of the best specialist engineering expertise in the country.”
A spokesperson for Musketeer Solutions said the company was honoured to be leading the BISAP-F programme and to be working alongside industry partners as part of the B-FIG team.
“The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight holds a unique place in the nation’s history, and we are proud to support the continued safe operation and sustainability of its fighter aircraft,” they added. “This contract reflects the strength of our collaborative approach and the expertise across the B-FIG partnership.”
How the BBMF keeps an important part of UK history alive
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) is a Royal Air Force unit dedicated to preserving and flying historic aircraft from the Second World War. Based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, which is also an active RAF base, the BBMF serves as a living airborne tribute to those who served and died during the conflict, especially in the Battle of Britain.
The BBMF operates 11 iconic aircraft, including five Supermarine Spitfires, two Hawker Hurricanes, a single Avro Lancaster bomber and a Douglas C-47 Dakota. The unit also maintains two de Havilland Chipmunk training aircraft in its fleet.
These aircraft regularly appear at airshows, commemorative events, and national ceremonies, offering the public a chance to see and hear them in flight, many decades after they saw active service. The fleet is maintained by a consortium of contractors under the watchful eye of the BBMF engineering team
Beyond performing displays, the BBMF plays an educational role, helping to keep the history and legacy of RAF personnel alive for future generations. Its work ensures that the sacrifice and achievements of wartime aviators are never forgotten.
Featured image: Royal Air Force
