January, 2010 – The Ministry of Defense & Aviation & Inspectorate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has awarded a contract for the maintenance of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) T56 Engines to Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) and the Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC).

The HAI and MEPC team participated in the respective international tender and successfully competed among all other T56 Authorized Maintenance Centers operating worldwide.

The contract is worth USD 43 million for a period of three (3) years under which, the contractor will provide maintenance, repair, overhaul, and testing services of the T56 engines, modules and components, that power one of the world’s largest fleet of C-130 aircraft of the Royal Saudi Air Force.

This contract is of high importance to HAI because it fulfils  its main strategic objectives, which are:

• The export-oriented marketing strategy, which has led HAI during the last five years to increase its international business activity, balancing  the exports / imports mixture (50/50) of signed contracts.
• The T56 aeroengines to become core business for HAI and capture business from the world market. A choice based on the fact that this engine is one of the most widely used engines (7,500 engines worldwide). Moreover, HAI, due to its long experience in maintaining this type of engine for more than 30 years, has obtained the authorization by Rolls Royce to operate as one of the seven Authorized Maintenance Centers in the world.
• HAI to establish a strong presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to pursue more business not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the wider region.

HAI’s international recognition as a reliable service provider and Center of Excellence for this specific type of engine, the high quality standards of delivered services and products, its consistency with contractual delivery times, high technological capabilities, and skilled workforce, will ensure successful program implementation.

For the last five years, HAI has been applying a carefully planned export-oriented strategy, and aggressive marketing policy, that have led to many business agreements, such as this major contract. Among these agreements are:

• With Lockheed Martin for the Coproduction of F-16 Fighter Aircraft: HAI manufactures almost 30% of the body of the F-16 aircraft, for the global market.
• With Lockheed Martin for the C-130 J Production Program under which HAI is manufacturing and assembling mid and plug panels installed on cargo aircraft type C-130J, as an exclusive global supplier of Lockheed Martin.
• With USAF for the CCIP Modification Program, which calls for the structural and avionics upgrade of about 100 U.S Air Force’s F-16 aircraft located in Europe, and runs its 3rd year of implementation.
• With EADS for the co-production of Airbus A320 Cargo Door Frames, with a progressive increase on HAI’s monthly production from 8 shipsets in 2004 to 22 shipsets currently,
• With Sikorsky for the production of sections for the Sikorsky Black Hawk UH-60 Helicopter

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Greece have traditionally enjoyed excellent relationship, and this program is a great opportunity for both countries to further strengthen such relationship, as it involves the support of the operational availability of a friendly nation’s air force.

The contract was signed, on behalf of the Saudi Arabia Government, by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense & Aviation & Inspector General, Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz.

Hellenic Aerospace Industry S.A., established on 1975, is the leading aerospace company of Greece, having as a mission to deliver defense and aerospace services and products to the Hellenic State, as well as to a wide range of domestic and international customers of both military and civil markets.
The company today, represents one of the leading providers of highly competitive and efficient services in the areas of:

• Aircraft, engines, accessories and avionics maintenance (repair, overhaul, modifications, modernizations, upgrade, life extensions and logistics support)
• Design, development, manufacturing, and after sales support of electronic, optoelectronic and telecommunication products.
• Knowledge-centric integrated solutions in the field of Tactical Communication Networks, Command & Control Systems, Electronic Warfare and Security Systems
• Co-development and co-production of weapon systems
• Design and manufacturing of aircraft subassemblies and engine parts from metallic and composite materials
• Satellite systems and applications including the development of a satellite system network and the related telecommunications, observation and navigation applications

• Research & Development in the aeronautical sector
• Technical training which covers a wide spectrum of aerospace industry disciplines

The Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC), was formed in 1992 as a joint venture