Rolls-Royce inks Saudi Air Force contract

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has said it has signed a contract to provide support for engines powering the Royal Saudi Air Force fleet of Tornado combat aircraft.

The deal comes following agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, under the Saudi British Defence Co-operation Programme, a statement said.

The four-year agreement provides the repair of modules, accessories and components and a package of new spares for the Tornado’s RB199 engines.

The contract has been agreed with the Saudi Maintenance and Supply Chain Management Company which acts as the logistics supplier to BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia.

No value was given for the contract which enables the Royal Saudi Air Force to benefit from a schedule of fixed price maintenance which seeks to reduce the cost of engine operations.

Nick Durham, Rolls-Royce president of Customer Business – Defence, said: "We are delighted to have concluded this agreement which will provide the Royal Saudi Air Force with support for its fleet of RB199 engines over the next four years.

The Air Force is a longstanding and valued customer and we will continue to work together to provide the best possible support for its expanding Rolls-Royce engine fleet."

The Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC) will conduct some of the RB199 module repair work in support of this contract in its recently opened facilities in Riyadh, the statement said.

Rolls-Royce is also assisting MEPC to build up its capability to support T56 engines powering the Royal Saudi Air Force’s C-130 military transport fleet.