Scottsdale, Ariz. – March 26, 2015 – StandardAero has acquired DutchAero Services (DAS) from GE/Avio and will take over the existing operations to establish a European Support Center providing military MRO services for Pratt & Whitney F100 and future F135 engines. DAS will be branded as StandardAero Defense Services Europe.
DAS, located at Woensdrecht Air Base in the Netherlands, will become StandardAero’s second MRO operation in the country and will serve as a partner in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the maintenance needs of the Royal Netherland Air Force (RNLAF) as well as other military operators worldwide.
The Netherlands was recently selected as one of three European nations authorized to perform maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrades by the F135 Joint Program Office. DAS is the partner for the PPP in qualifying for the F135 MRO.
“Our experience with successful partnerships at our San Antonio, Texas facility and support from our nearby Tilburg, Netherlands, facility are key factors in completing this acquisition,” said Rick Stine, President of StandardAero Military & Components business. “StandardAero already overhauls military transport engines with the T56 and AE2100 and now we will support the most prolific fighter engines – with the F100 and anticipated support of the F135. We also intend to serve on additional military platforms as we establish and grow our base in Europe.”
Through the PPP, DAS will be responsible for all F100 and anticipated F135 engine maintenance for RNLAF and will oversee the maintenance and the F100 piece part repairs in the shops which are owned by the government.
“Currently, we work with StandardAero on T56 engines and are excited to have them as a partner to help us with the maintenance needs for F100 and the future F135 engines. This is a good development for the employability in the region and supports the Maintenance/Aviolanda initiative to expand MRO activities here in the region,” said Eric Schevenhoven, Commander Logistic Center Woensdrecht for RNLAF.
StandardAero will align the business with its portfolio of defense services located in San Antonio, Texas and Winnipeg, Canada.
“We’re excited about this acquisition and the opportunity to serve the large existing market of F-16 aircraft powered by F100 engines,” Stine added. “Our ability to position the company as a key partner with Woensdrecht Logistic Center for leading the depot into the F-35 Lightning aircraft engine MRO is strategically important as we grow our overall military engine platforms and customer base.”
StandardAero continues to be a premier partner with the world’s defense organizations and turbine engine OEMs.
StandardAero is one of the world’s largest independent providers of services including engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications. StandardAero serves a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components, energy and VIP completions markets. A Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) company, StandardAero provides a global service network of 13 primary facilities in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Singapore and Australia, along with an additional 50 sales and field service locations. The company celebrated its 100th year of industry leadership in 2011.
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) Ltd is a globally recognized aerospace company specializing in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, aircraft completions and aircraft leasing. The Company is headquartered in Dubai and operates in four continents and employs over 4,000 people. More information can be found on the company’s web site at www.dubaiaerospace.com.