By defenceWeb
The United Arab Emirates’ Global Aerospace Logistics (GAL) has signed an agreement with the Kenya Air Force to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for its aircraft.
GAL, part of the newly created Edge defence conglomerate, made the announcement during the Dubai Air Show last week. It said the Kenyan agreement is its first international contract.
The framework agreement for logistics and maintenance involves the provision of spares, logistics support, MRO and other aviation-related requirements to the Kenya Air Force fleet.
Speaking on the signing, Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Chairman of GAL, said: “This contract marks the start of a long-term relationship that will see GAL play a critical role in Kenya Air Force’s primary mission of securing Kenyan airspace.”
GAL is part of the Platforms & Systems cluster of EDGE, which was inaugurated in November 2019. GAL provides aircraft sustainment solutions for military and civilian customers and has partnerships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and MRO service providers such as AAR, Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing and Leonardo.
GAL says it holds several maintenance and integrated logistics services contracts across the UAE, and continues to expand its support capabilities to customers throughout the region. It offers engineering and technical services, maintenance services for aircraft and defence systems, logistics and supply chain management, components and system overhaul/repair, aircraft sales, aviation consulting and project management.
GAL is also able to assist customers with aircraft modifications and upgrades, and capability development such as intermediate maintenance shop design.
It is not clear what types of Kenya’s aircraft GAL will maintain. The Kenya Air Force flies some two dozen F-5E/F Tiger II fighters, a dozen Tucano trainers, a dozen Y-12 transport aircraft, half a dozen G120A basic trainers, several dozen MD 500 helicopters and recently took delivery of AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters. Kenya also flies small numbers of other different types, such as Pumas, Mi-17s etc. Recent acquisitions include AW139 and UH-1H helicopters, with deliveries of MD530Fs and C-27J Spartan transports imminent.
This article was published by defenceWeb on November 26. 2019.
The featured photo shows a Kenyan Grop G120 trainer.
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