A £135m transformation taking the Royal Navy’s air station at Culdrose into the mid-21st Century is now under way.

Old aircraft hangars are being demolished and the ground cleared for new training hubs – part of a two-pronged regeneration of the Helston air base.

Construction vehicles, security fencing and temporary office blocks have all been moved on to the site and unwanted and outdated structures are now being pulled down.

It’s the largest rebuilding project in two decades at the Cornish air station, home to the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Merlin helicopter fleet.

Looking down on the Engineering Training School site from the air traffic control tower at RNAS Culdrose.
Looking down on the Engineering Training School site from the air traffic control tower at RNAS Culdrose
A temporary building has been created to house the Engineering Training School so that training by Merlin Helicopter Force can continue.
A temporary building has been created to house the Engineering Training School so that training by Merlin Helicopter Force can continue

Captain James Hall, the commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose, said: “We’ve essentially got construction going ahead on three sites as part of two separate projects. At the same time, the operational commitments of the air station have continued without pause.

“That can only be achieved with active discussion between all the parties and I am grateful for this combined team-approach that has allowed us to keep the airfield operational and continue training our people.

“At its heart, these projects will regenerate the air station and provide our sailors with fantastic facilities so that we can continue to defend the nation and protect the UK’s interests.”

The first project is a £99.5m contract spanning two sites: the Engineering Training School, which will be pulled down and replaced; and 820 Naval Air Squadron’s home. One hangar will be demolished and rebuilt, the remaining two revamped and the HQ building refurbished.

Work begins to refurbish the 820 NAS building.
Work begins to refurbish the 820 NAS building

The bulk of the squadron, which operates the Merlin Mk2 helicopter to protect the navy’s aircraft carriers, is currently deployed on the other side of the world with the carrier strike group deployment to the Far East led by HMS Prince of Wales.

Meanwhile at the Engineering Training School, where sailors learn how to maintain the Merlin helicopters, a two-storey block of temporary prefabricated buildings has been installed, to be followed by a temporary site office, allowing the old building to be cleared ahead of its demolition later this year. The new school will then be built in its place, scheduled to open in the spring of 2028.

The old Engineering Training School which is to be demolished and replaced.
The old Engineering Training School which is to be demolished and replaced
A design concept for the new Engineering Training School.
A design concept for the new Engineering Training School

Defence Infrastructure Organisation awarded the contract to company Kier Construction, with company Mott MacDonald providing technical services. The project is being overseen by a team from Royal Navy Infrastructure.

Doug Lloyd, a regional director for Kier Construction, said: “This is an exciting milestone for Culdrose. With work now underway across both sites, we’re proud to be delivering modern facilities that will support the Royal Navy and RAF squadrons and provide a superb school for the next generation of air engineers.”

“We’re delighted to be delivering these vital schemes, which represent a significant investment in operational readiness and future training capability.”

The second project under way is a new training facility for 750 Naval Air Squadron, which trains Royal Navy helicopter observes and Royal Air Force rear crew, including weapon system officers operating maritime patrol aircraft.

Impression of proposed new building for 750 NAS at RNAS Culdrose.
Impression of proposed new building for 750 NAS at RNAS Culdrose

Work has begun to clear the site for the new squadron building and demolish another derelict aircraft hangar.

It is part of a larger £300m eight-year contract awarded to Ascent Flight Training to provide training and facilities including new aircraft simulators at Culdrose.

“Work is progressing at pace at Culdrose,” said Ascent Flight Training’s project manager Simon Gotobed.

“The boundary of the new building has been established and following demolition of the old hangar and clearance of the area, construction of the operational support building can begin.

At 820 NAS the hangar on the right is to be demolished and rebuilt.
At 820 NAS the hangar on the right is to be demolished and rebuilt

“For many on-site, this marks a significant step forward RNAS Culdrose, and a physical demonstration of the multi-million-pound investment being undertaken on the base, which will ultimately enable a four-fold training capacity increase for the critically important mission aircrew trainees for both the Royal Navy and the RAF.”

The emphasis on the operational/training side of Culdrose will be followed by a rejuvenation of the accommodation site, including the extensive rebuilding of living quarters including new messes and wardroom.

Last month a new £4.4m Fire and Rescue Training Centre was also opened at Culdrose in a project by Royal Navy Infrastructure, delivered by Defence Infrastructure Organisation. It can simulate live fires in a building or ship and will be used to train Royal Navy aircraft handlers.