Cobham has been awarded an eight-year contract from Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) to provide oil pollution detection and surveillance around the coast of the UK. As part of the deal, Cobham will operate a dedicated, specially-modified maritime surveillance Dornier 228 aircraft from Bournemouth airport. The contract incorporates an existing interim contract that has been in operation since January 2012.

Once fully modified, the aircraft will provide a rapid response service to OSRL clients operating around the UK, detecting and monitoring spills and enabling compliance with legislation from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Peter Nottage, vp of Cobham Aviation Services, says: "Cobham will be operating with well trained experienced surveillance aircrew in a highly capable aircraft. We look forward to working with OSRL and developing our partnership further."