Cobham has acquired the outstanding 50% shareholding from Bristow Helicopters in the pair's joint venture training business FB Heliservices.

Cobham has paid £74 million ($112 million) for the business, and two other related companies - FB Leasing and FBS - which specialises in the provision of military helicopter training in the UK and elsewhere, including a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to train rotorcraft crews for all branches of the country's armed forces.

Additionally, FB Heliservices undertakes search and rescue missions, logistics support and emergency medical services for government clients around the world.

Cobham says FB Heliservices compliments its existing fixed-wing aviation services operation and reduces the company's exposure to the US defence market.

Bob Murphy, Cobham chief executive, says: "[FBH] brings a long track record of operating in attractive, specialist outsourcing markets with demonstrable success in winning contracts across the globe."

Source: Flight International