Airbus Helicopters, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, and Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services have signed a long-term strategic agreement to collaborate over support and services for the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the companies will work to strengthen the deployment of local maintenance capabilities, as well as optimizing the availability of the NH90 helicopter.
The NH90 is a multi-role helicopter designed to meet NATO standards and contains a fully integrated mission system for operations in the most demanding conditions over land and sea, day and night.
Airbus and Kongsberg of Norway reach MRO deal for local maintenance to optimize availability of the NH90 helicopter in the region. https://t.co/7BzZlMIAtm pic.twitter.com/cvY2j3zN6v
— HELICOPTERS Magazine (@helicopters_mag) February 3, 2022
Airbus is also developing and qualifying Kongsberg’s facilities to provide maintenance of the NH90 tail gearboxes for the Norwegian fleet. The move will position Kongsberg as prime contractor for this support contract and the first entity outside Airbus to be qualified for the work.
“This agreement is the beginning of an ambitious partnership with Kongsberg which will strengthen Norway’s autonomy and sovereign support capability in this specialized field,” Airbus Helicopters Regional Director Industrial Cooperation Damien Lamy said in a statement.
“Kongsberg has a proven capability in production, manufacturing, repair and overhaul activity for the aerospace industry. Kongsberg is also a strategic partner to the Norwegian Armed Forces for sustainment and logistics. We are looking forward to our enhanced cooperation with Airbus with the overall goal of increased operational capability for NH90 users,” EVP of Kongsberg Aerostructures & MRO, Mr Terje Bråthen said.