Alsalam Aircraft Company has signed a new teaming agreement with Marshall Aerospace to develop MRO capabilities for C-130. This teaming agreement, which extends the business relations between the two companies, will provide the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) with a cost-effective C-130 modification, maintenance and repair services.

Last year, Alsalam was awarded a SR 545 million military contract to provide C-130 technical support services to the RSAF fleet, with a five-year period of performance, from 2011 to 2016. Within the contract, Alsalam provides skilled manpower to support and train the RSAF to maintain the fleet inside and outside the Kingdom. Alsalam has also provided Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM), technical support services and cockpit upgrade for the C-130 Fleet.

The RSAF and Alsalam have a working relationship that dates back to 1989. Alsalam provided technical support (TSP) and (PDM) on various platforms for the RSAF including F-15, Tornados, AWACS E-3A, KE3-A F-15, and has supported the RSAF’s helicopter aircraft.

At present, Alsalam is the only (MRO) center in Saudi Arabia that is certificated by the three major aviation authorities as a Part 145 Organization. These are: the General Authority of Civil Aviation (KSA-GACA), the Federal Aviation Administration (US-FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EU-EASA).

Marshall Aerospace is the United Kingdom’s leading independent aerospace company, and specializes in the conversion, modification, maintenance and support of aircraft. The company holds many type approvals - granted by national and international authorities, airlines, airframe manufacturers and defence agencies - enabling the Marshall Aerospace to design and certify modifications on a number of commercial and military platforms.

Moreover, Marshall Aerospace has a long-standing relationship with the C-130 platform. For example, the company’s Hercules Integrated Operational Support (HIOS) service has made the C-130 one of the UK’s Royal Air Force’s most cost-effective transport platforms in terms of low flying hour costs.

Alsalam Aircraft Company is a joint venture company established in 1988 under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense and Civil Aviation Economic Offset Program. The Alsalam partners who formed the company and remain partners today are: Boeing Industrial Technology Group (50%); Saudi Arabian Airlines (25%); Saudi Advanced Industries Company (10%); Gulf Investment Corporation (10%); and National Industrialization Company (5%).

Alsalam is a contributor to the Kingdom’s strategy to develop self-sufficiency in the field of civil and military aircraft maintenance and modification through technology transfer and development of Saudi nationals. Currently, the company employs over 3,000 people nationwide engaging in both civil & military programs, with a  saudization rate exceeding 50%

Source:  Alsalam Aircraft Company