Rolls-Royce adds MEPC to global T56 engine maintenance services network

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, today announced the intention to add the Middle East Propulsion Company (MEPC) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to its global network of Authorised Military Overhaul Facilities (AMOF) for the T56 engine.

Rolls-Royce and MEPC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which includes the creation of a repair and overhaul capability for T56 engines powering the Royal Saudi Air Force’s C-130 transport aircraft at MEPC’s new engine workshop facility at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The Royal Saudi Air Force operates one of the world’s largest T56 fleets.

Nick Durham, Rolls-Royce, President of Customer Business - Defence, said: “The proposed addition of the Middle East Propulsion Company to the T56 services network is an indication of the strength of MEPC’s expertise. Through the cooperative agreement we have signed we will work together to further improve the support provided to the Royal Saudi Air Force by enhancing local capability.”

Paul Rawson, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Saudi Arabia Ltd., said: “We see the signing of this agreement with MEPC as the beginning of a mutually beneficial long-term partnership in Saudi Arabia that will continue to build the Kingdom’s support capability for Rolls-Royce equipment.”

Rolls-Royce currently supports a number of engines in service with the Royal Saudi Air Force, including the EJ200, RB199, T56 and Adour.

1. Rolls-Royce is a world-leading provider of power systems and services for use on land, at sea and in the air, and has established a strong position in global markets - civil aerospace, defence aerospace, marine and energy.
2. As a result of this strategy, Rolls-Royce has a broad customer base comprising more than 500 airlines, 4,000 corporate and utility aircraft and helicopter operators, 160 armed forces, more than 2,500 marine customers, including 70 navies, and energy customers in nearly 120 countries, with an installed base of 54,000 gas turbines.
3. Annual underlying revenues were £10.8 billion in 2010, of which more than half came from the provision of services. The firm and announced order book stood at £59.2 billion at 31 December 2010, providing visibility of future levels of activity.
4. Rolls-Royce employs over 39,000 skilled people in offices, manufacturing and service facilities in over 50 countries. Over 11,000 of these employees are engineers.
5. The T56 engine, rated at 3,250 to 5,800 shaft horsepower, holds the record as the longest-running continuous production engine in the large turboprop class, celebrating 54 years of production in 2007.
6. Rolls-Royce Saudi Arabia LLC was formed in 2009 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rolls-Royce plc. With offices in Riyadh and Taif, Rolls-Royce Saudi Arabia Ltd is playing an increasingly significant role in the delivery of services to the Royal Saudi Air Force.
7. MEPC was established in 1989 under the auspices of the Economic Offset Program which was created by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to promote industrialisation and technology transfer. Recently MEPC has launched major expansion program and will be moving before the end of this year to its new state of the art facility at the industrial zone of KKIA airport. MEPC is positioning itself to become a center of excellence as an MRO for Aero Defence engines operated in the region.