[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On 15th December an Intention Letter was signed between the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s Logistics Centre Woensdrecht (LCW) and the company Airborne Services BV for the shared usage of LCW’s facilities. The signing took place during the Future Aircraft Maintenance III event at Aviolanda Woensdrecht.
During the NIDV symposium (Netherlands Industry for Defence and Security) in Rotterdam on 20th November 2014 Airborne signed a maintenance agreement with NHIndustries and Airbus Helicopters for NH90 rotor blades. In order to perform these activities in controlled surroundings Airborne has put in a request for shared usage with the Commander of LCW. By using existing equipment, Airborne intends to take on international contracts using its own rotor blade repair specialists. The LCW, the “Main Support Base” of the Royal Netherlands Air Force has already been cooperating for some time with industry. Air Commodore Schevenhoven: “Joint usage of our facilities by specialized companies complies with our aim to increase the operational availability of helicopters and to lower the costs”.
For Airborne, cooperation with the Air Force will allow their maintenance activities to grow further. Apart from Airbus, the company is in contact with other helicopter OEM’s. “Our company specialises in the production and maintenance of composite structures. Here in Woensdrecht we have found the ideal location to combine the existing capabilities and infrastructure to export internationally”, according to Marco Brinkman, Director of Airborne Services.
Obtaining this kind of assignment requires close cooperation between industry and government. The agreement with Airbus Helicopters came about as a result of good support from NIDV, the Netherlands Embassy in Paris and others. “This is a perfect example of how business and the Air Force can together win international contracts”, according to Ron Nulkes – NIDV Director.
Increasing maintenance activity at the airbase and adjacent business location Aviolanda will in future maintain and increase employment in the region of West Brabant.
On the picture from left to right. Front: Bert Paulis – REWIN, Air Commodore Eric Schevenhoven – Commander LCW, Marco Brinkman – Managing Director Airborne Services. Back: Colonel James MacGillavry – Head of Maintenance & Logistics LCW, Arno van Mourik – CEO Airborne International, .
About the LCW:
The LCW is located at Woensdrecht Airfield and is part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The LCW is the Defence Ministry’s business and knowledge centre for (air defence) weapons, communication systems, system integration and mission support. The LCW controls maintenance and availability of all Air Force equipment. Furthermore the LCW performs ‘Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade’ and from the synergy between its technical and logistical expertise, uses this capacity to serve operational users and other partners in both The Netherlands and abroad.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]