UK to Double Dash 8 Fleet for Channel Surveillance
The UK Home Office is set to double its fleet of Dash 8 turboprops in maritime surveillance configuration to enhance the monitoring of small boats crossing the English Channel. This expansion aims to strengthen the UK’s efforts to track irregular migration across the busy waterway. The additional aircraft, like the first, will be operated by PAL Aerospace (SPR, St. John’s) and is expected to enter service in the spring of 2025.
The current fleet of the Home Office’s Small Boat Command consists of a single DHC-8-Q300(MPA), which has been in operation since July 2023. This aircraft, C-GFMX (msn 410), has proven effective in tracking small boat crossings, but its limited capacity has hindered the ability to provide continuous 24-hour surveillance. With the addition of a second Dash 8 turboprop, the Home Office will be able to monitor boat traffic around the clock for about 200 days per year, assuming weather conditions allow for small boat crossings.
The expanded fleet will significantly enhance the Home Office’s ability to monitor the Channel and work alongside other government agencies for additional surveillance when crossings are not possible. The new contract, which will increase the fleet size, is valued at GBP34 million (USD43.2 million) and will support the Home Office Small Boat Command’s objectives of improving border security and preventing illegal migration.
PAL Aerospace, the Canadian company operating the aircraft, did not respond to inquiries regarding specific details of the expanded contract. While PAL Aerospace does not operate other DHC-8-300(MPA) aircraft, it does have five DHC-8-100(MPA) units in its fleet. Four of these aircraft are currently deployed by the Dutch government for maritime surveillance in the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean, while the fifth is operated for Canada’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
By increasing its surveillance capacity, the UK Home Office aims to address the growing challenge of irregular migration across the English Channel, ensuring more effective monitoring and border security. The additional Dash 8 aircraft will play a crucial role in meeting this demand and supporting ongoing efforts to curb illegal crossings.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com