The 2013/14 financial year was the first full year of the National Police Air Service (NPAS) operation. The year was a transitional one starting with seventeen forces as members, with a service being provided by eleven aircraft from twelve bases. This escalated to 36 forces being serviced by 22 airframes from nineteen bases.
Just trying to work out how the numbers add up.
As it stands, PNAS is presently supporting 36 forces by using 22 airframes and has just awarded contracts to both PAS and AH for the next 5 years. The contracts are for 6 Explorers and 19 Airbus types.
If that 22 airframes includes the spares, that means that in the next 5 years there are only 3 airframes to join the party.
If that 22 airframes doesn't include the spares, the maintenance contracts only cover what is in PNAS now and do not cover any other aircraft that PNAS/W.Yorks will 'own' in the next 5 years.
ASU's still to join;
Met - 3x145
Wiltshire - 902
Dyfed Powys - 109
S.Wales - 135
Humberside - 902
Sheffield - 902
Of course this could all mean that when the 'still to join' units join, there will be a reduction of 8 airframes elsewhere, because it can be clearly seen that for the next 5 years there is only going to be a maximum of 25 MD/AH airframes in the fleet
As West Yorkshire are the registered owners of 22 aircraft, I suggest that the 22 airframes servicing the 36 forces includes the spares
GINFO Search Results Summary | Aircraft Register
This leaves space in the service contract for only 3 more EC's.