Boeing to Establish Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center

Boeing has signed an agreement with Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Alsalam Aircraft Company to create the Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The joint venture will have locations in Riyadh and Jeddah providing comprehensive, in-country maintenance repair and overhaul support for Saudi Arabia’s diverse rotorcraft fleet.

“Boeing is always looking at innovative ways to offer our customers the highest level of service and support,” said Leanne Caret, president, Boeing’s Global Services & Support business. “The Saudi Rotorcraft Support Center builds upon our decades-long partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. When it’s fully operational, the Saudi military will have a national asset that affordably enhances the readiness of their rotorcraft personnel and fleet.”

The joint venture will support the Kingdom’s commercial and defense rotorcraft platforms, including the Boeing-built AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and AH-6i.

“This project will strengthen and diversify the Saudi nationals’ skills and provide long-term investment in our company’s future workforce, contributing to the Kingdom goals of localization, economic growth and transfer of state-of-the art technology and know-how,” said Nader A. Khalawi, chief executive officer of SAEI. “Designed to meet the growing demand for support to the kingdom’s expanding fleet of military and civil helicopters, this is an in-country capability of which we can all be proud.”

Formation of the joint venture is expected to occur in late 2015 or early 2016, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.