Rolls-Royce to maintain Typhoon engines for Saudi air force
16 Dec 2009
Global power systems supplier, Rolls-Royce, has concluded contracts with BAE Systems to support the EJ200 engines powering the Typhoon fleet of the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Rolls-Royce is the world's number two defence aero engine company with 160 customers in 103 countries. The company offers engines in all key defence market sectors - combat, transport, helicopters, trainers, patrol, maritime and reconnaissance.
The two three-year contracts form part of the Salam Support Solution that has been agreed between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
Under the terms of the contracts, Rolls-Royce and its subsidiary Rolls-Royce Saudi Arabia Limited will lead support for the engine fleet on behalf of the Eurojet consortium, the European engine consortium that produces the EJ200 which the powers the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Rolls-Royce as a 33-per cent stake in Eurojet.
A key element of the new contracts is that initial in-country support activity on the EJ200 engines will be conducted in Saudi Arabia. This will involve conducting some repairs onsite and preparing engines and modules for transport back to Europe for deeper maintenance requirements if needed.
Martin Fausset, managing director of Rolls-Royce Defence Aerospace, said, ''We are delighted at this opportunity to cement our relationship with BAE Systems in support of the Typhoon aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force. Working closely with the prime contractor we have designed this solution using the experience gained supporting the UK's EJ200 fleet and look forward to delivering high levels of service performance to the Royal Saudi Air Force.''
Al Smith, Rolls-Royce senior vice president for the Middle East and a Director of Rolls-Royce Saudi Arabia Limited, said, ''This is a milestone contract for Rolls-Royce and its European partners in the long history of our partnership with Saudi Arabia. The support will involve a mixture of Saudi nationals and is the first step of the plans for the EJ200 engine in Saudi Arabia.''