Saab signs Teaming Agreement with Sikorsky

Defence and security company Saab and Sikorsky has signed a Teaming Agreement regarding support and training services for the Swedish Black Hawk Programme.
During a ceremony at the Paris Air Show, Lars-Erik Wige, head of Saab’s business area Support and Services, and David Adler, president of Sikorsky Aerospace Services, signed a Teaming Agreement. The agreement relates to support and training services for Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawks to be operated by the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF).

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has purchased 15 Black Hawk helicopters through the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program. InSwedenthe helicopters are designated HKP 16. The Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF) intend to use the aircraft for medical evacuation, utility, and search and rescue missions in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) inAfghanistan. Three of the helicopters will be deployed toAfghanistanas early as 2013 in connection withSweden’s intervention in the country.

Sikorsky is expected to deliver the first helicopters in 2011. Initially, Sikorsky and Saab will ensure delivery of the HKP 16 maintenance organisation in order to support aircraft availability for initial SwAF training at the main operating base inLinköping,Sweden. This means that Saab, in cooperation with Sikorsky, will gradually build up further capabilities to secure and deliver cost effective support and training services for the Swedish HKP 16 operations.

“This is yet another key step in our efforts regarding maintenance, support and training in the helicopter field. We look forward to working with Sikorsky and we already have a long-standing strong cooperation with the Swedish Armed Forces regarding maintenance and support for their air operations,” says Lars-Erik Wige.