13 February, 2019: BAE Systems, a British multinational defence, security, and aerospace company have received sustainment contracts from F-35 joint programme office. Under the contract, the company will carry out Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade (MRO&U) services for F-35 avionics and aircraft components for the European, Asia-Pacific and global fleet.
The contract will build further on the company’s role in supporting the global F-35 fleet in the United Kingdom and Australia.
"Across our global enterprise, we play a crucial role on the F-35 programme in the UK, US and Australia, and today's announcement further strengthens this contribution," said Chris Boardman, Managing Director, BAE System Air. "The selection of the UK and Australia to undertake this activity is recognition of the advanced military aircraft support skills and capabilities we have in the UK and Australia.”
The Department of Defense has assigned repair components to Sealand Support Services Limited, a joint venture with the UK Government and Northrop Grumman for global repairs, and in the Asia-Pacific region. Work will be carried out by BAE Systems Australia business alongside a number of Australian defence companies, in the Asia-Pacific region.