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RUAG Australia is set to become an authorised service centre for F-35 wheels and brakes following an agreement with Honeywell International.
The agreement between the two companies will see RUAG Australia become a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) authorised service centre for the Asia Pacific Wheels and Brakes program for the F-35.
According to a release from RUAG Australia, the agreement is expected to enhance the company’s sovereign capability as the product support provider for F-35 wheels and brakes.
The creation of an MRO-authorised service centre by Honeywell will be exclusive to RUAG after receiving the F-35 Joint Program Office’s Authority to Proceed.
As part of the agreement, RUAG Australia is expected to transition its defence and aerospace team from older programs to the F-35 Global Support System.
“We are honoured to partner with RUAG Australia to provide wheels and brakes sustainment and support services for the F-35 fleet in the APAC region,” Carlo Malatesta, senior customer business manager at Honeywell, said.
“With decades of experience, Honeywell is well positioned to support RUAG’s MRO requirements that also complement sovereign capabilities for the Australian Defence Force. The APAC region is a high growth region for Defence, and the launch of this authorised service centre will further strengthen the industry’s capabilities for years to come.”
The two companies have a long history of partnership and collaboration.
Terry Miles, general manager or RUAG Australia, welcomed the opportunity to support Australian industry capability.
“We have seized the opportunity to deliver reliable MRO solutions for the F-35 GSS program, by leveraging our expertise and long-standing success of providing MRO sustainment for complex aircraft components,” he said.
“This is a significant boost for Australian sovereign Defence capability and sets the foundation for future industry growth whilst supporting local employment opportunities.”
According to Felix Ammann, executive vice president, RUAG MRO International, the agreement is a milestone.
“This achievement is yet another significant milestone for developing Australia’s industrial sovereign capability and delivering our commitment as one of the joint partner nations in the F-35 Program,” he said.
“Kudos to the RUAG Australia team and Honeywell International for embracing continuous improvement and capability development at a local level to improve global competitiveness.”
