Image courtesy NPAS
In December 2025, NPAS aircraft were available for deployment 74.5% of the time, an improvement on November. Due to routine annual maintenance and engineering requirements necessary for an aviation fleet, it is not possible to achieve 100% availability.
Engineering downtime fell to 12.9%, reflecting a reduction in maintenance-related unavailability and supporting improved operational resilience.
Response times
NPAS crews continued to respond quickly to incidents where air support can make a difference:
- Priority 1 (urgent) incidents: Average response time was 11 minutes and 58 seconds
- Priority 2 incidents: Average response time was 17 minutes and 14 seconds
These times reflect the average from call received to arrival on scene.
Operational impact
In December, NPAS received 3,561 calls for service, an increase from November.
NPAS crews continued to deliver results: 88.3% of attended deployments led to a positive outcome.
Between April and December 2025, NPAS crews located:
- 951 vulnerable people
- 2,999 suspects
- 1,466 vehicles
Flying hours so far
Since the start of the financial year:
- Rotary aircraft have flown 7,263 hours
- Fixed wing aircraft have flown 619 hours, supporting 35 forces and completing 147 hours of patrols
These performance figures to December 2025 highlight NPAS’ key achievements and its ongoing operational resilience.
Sign up for our newsletter and get our latest content in your inbox.
Similar Reads
1
2
3
Sign up for our newsletter. Select all sectors relevant to you.
Related
Rolls-Royce partners with Boeing and Lufthansa to test fuel-saving and noise-reduction technologies
Rolls-Royce partners with Boeing and Lufthansa to test fuel-saving and noise-reduction technologies
Rolls-Royce, Boeing and Lufthansa are launching a flight-test campaign using a 787-9 to evaluate technologies that improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise.
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.
Edinburgh Airport partners with Airportr for home and hotel baggage collection
Edinburgh Airport partners with Airportr for home and hotel baggage collection
Edinburgh Airport has introduced baggage collection through Airportr, allowing easyJet passengers to check in bags before arriving at the terminal.
Storm Fighter to lead new RAF collaborative combat aircraft family
Storm Fighter to lead new RAF collaborative combat aircraft family
Why the RAF is now racing do develop not only a high-end CCA called Storm Fighter, but also a complementary family of smaller autonomous aircraft to fly alongside crewed fighters.
RAF awards Boeing £127m E-7 sustainment contract as first aircraft nears service
RAF awards Boeing £127m E-7 sustainment contract as first aircraft nears service
The £127.5 million sustainment award will support around 180 jobs in Scotland as the first RAF Wedgetail completes final testing and a second aircraft begins flying.
RAF confirms GCAP will require sovereign boom refuelling capability
RAF confirms GCAP will require sovereign boom refuelling capability
Britain’s sixth-generation fighter will use boom rather than probe-and-drogue refuelling, forcing the RAF to address a longstanding gap in its Voyager tanker fleet.
ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
ESA selects Keysight to develop 5G NTN anomaly detection
Keysight will serve as the prime contractor, collaborating with Sateliot to support key technical development and satellite mission integration.
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.
UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
UK defence SMEs unite under new Spearhead delivery collective
Twenty-eight UK-owned defence and security SMEs have formed Spearhead, offering government and prime contractors access to specialist capability through one contract and one accountable delivery team.
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures opens London office with $100m UK and Europe fund
Lockheed Martin Ventures has chosen London for its first office outside the United States, with at least $100 million earmarked for UK and European defence technology start-ups.
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS surpasses 2,000 member organisations for the first time
ADS has passed 2,000 member organisations for the first time, following a record year of membership growth across aerospace, defence, security and space.