GKN Aerospace and Airbus Helicopters have taken a significant step forward in their long-standing partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration comes in the wake of Airbus Helicopters being pre-selected to supply 14 H225M helicopters for Special Operations to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Netherlands. The signing ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral de Waard, National Armaments Director of the Netherlands, his successor Vice Admiral Hartman, and the Commissioner of Military Production Dicke. The agreement was officially sealed by Shawn Black, President – Defence Airframe at GKN Aerospace, and Matthieu Louvot, Executive Vice President Programmes at Airbus Helicopters.
The MoU outlines the areas in which GKN Aerospace will provide crucial support to Airbus Helicopters. It encompasses engineering, electrical wiring interconnections systems (EWIS) design and manufacturing, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities. Additionally, GKN Aerospace will take the lead in potential innovation projects and aerostructures design and manufacturing, with a strong focus on composite structures. This collaboration is expected to strengthen the aerospace industry in the Netherlands and foster innovation within the Dutch Aerospace eco-system.