GKN Aerospace continues Gripen's engine support program

REDDITCH, England, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration has granted a contract extension to GKN Aerospace for support services for engines on Gripen fighters.

The contract extension covers the company's RM12 engines on fighters not only flown by the Air Force of Sweden but also flown by Hungary, the Czech Republic and Thailand.

"GKN Aerospace is proud of our long-term support for Swedish fighter aircraft and we appreciate that the FMV has extended the RM12 PBL-contract," said Mike McCann, chief executive officer of GKN Aerospace Engine Systems. "GKN is looking forward to continuing to work together with the Swedish Armed Forces and the FMV and to further develop our relationship.

"We recognize and appreciate the continued confidence that the FMV has demonstrated in our team in placing this contract extension with us."

The performance-based contract extension is for three years and worth $175 million. Under the award, GKN will continue to provide technical product support, maintenance and parts for the engines powering the Saab-manufactured aircraft.

GKN said the RM12 engine fleet has so far completed about 250,000 flight hours without any engine-related serious incidents for the Gripen fighter aircraft.

Technical product support, maintenance, and parts supply by GKN is conducted at its facility in Trollhattan, Sweden.