Steel frame goes up as £135m rebuild of RNAS Culdrose hits major milestone
A huge new aircraft hangar is taking shape at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose – marking a key step in a £135‑million regeneration of the Cornish base.
Since two major investment packages were announced in October 2024 and May 2025, plans have been finalised, old buildings demolished and groundworks completed.
Now the steel frame of one of the new hangars is in place, signalling visible progress on site.
To mark the milestone, the commanding officer of 820 Naval Air Squadron, Commander Alasdair Woodward, invited the squadron’s youngest sailor, Air Engineering Technician Taylor Kiltie, to ceremonially tighten golden bolts on the new frame with a special spanner.
Commander Woodward said this was just the start of a transformational decade for Culdrose:
“This project is the first in a decade of development at RNAS Culdrose."
"Our people are central to how we defend the UK and these new buildings will provide us with the modern and resilient facilities we need to carry out this duty – I am delighted to see the progress."
“As a Merlin helicopter squadron, we protect the UK’s aircraft carriers from threats in the air, on the surface and below the waves."
"Following last year’s global deployment to the Far East in HMS Prince of Wales, we are now carrying out essential maintenance on the aircraft and training our crews in preparation for the next carrier deployment, Operation Firecrest.”
One of the previous hangars has already been demolished and replaced with piled foundations to support the new structure.
Two more hangars, along with 820 Naval Air Squadron’s own squadron building, are being fully refurbished to create modern, resilient facilities that will support frontline operations for years to come.
The hangar project is part of a wider package of infrastructure upgrades at Culdrose, including a complete replacement of the Merlin force’s Engineering Training School.
Stu Johnston, deputy head of Royal Navy Infrastructure, said the new steel frame was a “significant milestone” in the long‑term upgrade of the base:
“The completion of the steel frame marks a major step forward in the project and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved."
“The DIO and Navy Infrastructure teams have worked closely with the air station and Kier to design and develop state‑of‑the‑art hangar and training facilities. These facilities will meet the needs of the modern Royal Navy and align with our broader sustainability and energy efficiency goals."
“This project underpins our commitment to RNAS Culdrose, providing cutting‑edge infrastructure that supports the Royal Navy’s warfighting capabilities and resilience ambitions.”
The construction is being delivered by Kier Construction Western & Wales, with technical services provided by Mott MacDonald.
Jim Stevens, project director at Kier, said:
“Seeing the steel frame in place is a major step forward and reflects the hard work of everyone involved. We’re committed to delivering high‑quality, future‑proofed infrastructure that will support the Merlin force and its vital role for many years to come.”
Mott MacDonald project director Mark Secker added:
“Through strong collaboration and dedicated effort from all parties, we are creating a facility built to underpin the base’s operational capability well into the future.”
Built for the future – and for sustainability
Sustainability is a core feature of the new and refurbished facilities. The designs include:
- Integrated water‑saving measures
- Solar photovoltaic panels
- Net‑zero operational carbon emissions
- Energy‑efficient lighting
- Air source heat pumps
Together, these measures aim to reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions, while keeping the base resilient and cost‑effective to run.
The new facilities will be delivered in phases through to spring 2028.
Securing Culdrose’s role in defence and the local economy
RNAS Culdrose, near Helston, is home to the Royal Navy’s Merlin Helicopter Force.
Its anti‑submarine warfare helicopters and crews protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent, undersea infrastructure and home waters, and provide vital support to aircraft carrier operations around the world.
The regeneration programme is also key to securing the long‑term future of Culdrose as a major employer in the westcountry – supporting service personnel, civilian staff, contractors and local businesses.
Behind the scenes
To mark the frame‑raising on Tuesday 24 February 2026, guests including the project management team, representatives from Mott MacDonald, steel frame supplier Snashalls and the base estates and infrastructure team all signed the steelwork before it was lifted into place.
Creating a permanent reminder of the people behind the project.