PILOTS at RAF Benson have begun training on a new version of the Puma helicopter made in Oxfordshire.

News of the test flights taking place is particularly sweet for bosses at Eurocopter, who faced losing the £260m contract as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2010.

That would have meant half of Eurocopter’s 220-strong workforce at Oxford Airport being made redundant as well as doubt being cast on the future of RAF Benson.

But after lobbying at the highest level, the vote went in favour of Eurocopter with bosses saying the 24 new helicopters now being readied for active service more than justifying the decision to give the contract the green light.

Ian Morris, Eurocopter’s director of defence business, said: “The people who will deliver the training have been trained themselves and now the first of the original Puma pilots are converting.

“The upgrade has been very successful. I have spoken to ex-flying colleagues at Benson who say it is exceeding all expectations both in terms of how easy it is to fly and its additional capability.

“A huge number of people were knocking it but we convinced people it was the right thing to do and that decision has been vindicated.”

New engines on the Pumas give them 35 per cent more power and improved fuel efficiency to allow them to fly faster and twice as far as the Puma Mk1.

They also have state of the art digital cockpits and upgraded instruments.

Puma Force Commander Group Captain Nigel Colman said: “The Puma is a remarkable aircraft and its ability to operate in urban and harsh conditions will see it play a key role in any future deployments.’’ Seven of the RAF’s fleet of 24 Puma Mk2s have so far been delivered to RAF Benson and the remainder will be handed over during the next two years ahead of the helicopters entering service in 2015.