Rheinmetall Aviation Services (RAS) and US-based Science and Engineering Services (SES) announced on 6 June 2024 that they have entered into a strategic alliance agreement to provide maintenance, repair and modification services for military rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft in Europe.
The co-operation offers a broad spectrum of services ranging from simple to highly complex maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work as well as sophisticated modifications.
“This partnership allows us to take our years of experience with the CH-53G [heavylift helicopter] to the next level to better meet the specific needs of our European customers. We are creating something that does not exist in this form in Europe,” Tim Paul, vice president of business development and sales at RAS, was quoted as saying in a Rheinmetall press release.
The newly formed partnership is designed to combine the expertise and extensive personnel and technical resources of SES with the in-depth market knowledge and established presence of Rheinmetall in Europe. RAS already successfully supports, maintains and services Germany’s CH-53G fleet in a co-operative model with the German Air Force across three locations.
SES brings its extensive technical expertise from the United States, where it plays a leading role in training, maintenance and modification of various rotorcraft types for national and international customers as well as for the US military in the United States and abroad.
“We’re thrilled to be part of a team that will provide customers with exceptional aircraft design, modification, test, repair, logistics, and other services,” said Ralph Pallotta, chief executive officer at SES. “The synergy from the complimentary blending of our capabilities could not be better. Customers will now have access to a one-stop shop for all their needs for modifying and sustaining their fleets of aircraft.”
The strategic partnership “underlines the joint commitment to support the operational efficiency and readiness of European armed forces and to make a decisive contribution to the security and performance of European air defence”, Rheinmetall stated.
