• Alliance builds on Boeing and Logistic Center Woensdrecht partnership
• Will help increase RNLAF Chinook and Apache readiness rates, develop opportunities for Dutch industry

The Boeing Company and AAR Aircraft Component Services — Amsterdam have signed a letter of intent to cooperate on component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities to support Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) rotorcraft operations.

“Boeing is working with Dutch industry to develop the most effective ways to increase the readiness rates of Royal Netherlands Air Force CH-47 Chinook and AH-64D Apache helicopters through its partnership with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence Logistic Center Woensdrecht,” said Peri Widener, Boeing Global Services & Support director of Rotorcraft Support. “Boeing also is focused on building relationships with suppliers that can help the company continue to deliver affordable, reliable logistics, sustainment and MRO solutions that maximize global readiness for our customers here and elsewhere.”

“AAR has extensive experience servicing aircraft components for air forces in Europe, the United States and other countries around the world including on a number of platforms for which Boeing is the original equipment manufacturer,” said Mat van Vugt, vice president and general manager, AAR Aircraft Component Services — Amsterdam. “We look forward to building on that experience and working with Boeing and the Logistic Center Woensdrecht to help ensure that Dutch Chinooks and Apaches are ready when the Royal Netherlands Air Force needs them.”

Boeing has a long record of working closely and successfully with Dutch defense customers and industry. Most recently, Boeing has been working in partnership with the Logistic Center Woensdrecht (LCW) to expand MRO capabilities in-country and develop opportunities for Dutch industry. That alliance strives to increase readiness rates of the Boeing-built CH-47 Chinook and AH-64D Apache helicopters operated by the RNLAF, and aims to eventually broaden regional MRO activities through support opportunities on additional military and civilian aircraft.

The letter of intent with AAR is the first industry collaboration to grow out of the November 2010 framework agreement between Boeing and the LCW. Boeing’s collaboration with the LCW and AAR advances the “Maintenance Valley” initiative supported by the Dutch government to bolster the Netherlands’ position as a regional hub for military and civilian aircraft MRO activities and will grow the volume of MRO work in the Netherlands.

AAR Aircraft Component Services specializes in overhaul, repair and maintenance of components for aircraft including RNLAF CH-47 Chinooks and KDC-10s, F-16s, C-130s and NATO Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) 707 aircraft. Additionally, it has repair depot responsibilities at the UK Royal Air Force base at Waddington, United Kingdom.

AAR Aircraft Component Services is a division of AAR International, a leading provider of component repair services for various Boeing commercial aircraft. AAR also helped Boeing set up the Next-Generation 737 Spare Exchange Program, in which it shared responsibility for supply chain logistics and warehousing. AAR has been a Boeing Performance Excellence Award recipient for the past three years. Boeing issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who achieve superior performance.

Boeing press release

Photo: M. van Leeuwen Z.A.P.P.