GKN Aerospace Teams Up with Airbus Helicopters: A New Era of Collaboration Unveiled

GKN Aerospace has recently established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus Helicopters, representing a noteworthy advancement in a prolonged collaboration. This alliance coincides with the recent pre-selection of Airbus Helicopters to provide 14 H225M helicopters for Special Operations to the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands.

Vice Admiral de Waard, National Armaments Director of the Netherlands, his successor Vice Admiral Hartman, and the Commissioner of Military Production Dicke were present at the signing event. Shawn Black, President – Defence Airframe at GKN Aerospace, and Matthieu Louvot, Executive Vice President Programmes at Airbus Helicopters, formalized the agreement.

Under the MoU, GKN Aerospace will offer crucial support in areas such as engineering, electrical wiring interconnections systems (EWIS) design and production, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. The company will also spearhead potential innovation projects along with aerostructures design and production, with a distinct focus on composite materials. This collaboration will strengthen the aerospace sector in the Netherlands and promote innovation within the Dutch Aerospace ecosystem. Airbus Helicopters and GKN Aerospace share a rich history of cooperation as partners in NHIndustries, the NH90 manufacturing consortium, alongside Leonardo.

Shawn Black, President Defence Airframe of GKN Aerospace, stated: “We have maintained a close partnership with Airbus Helicopters on the NH90 program since 1992 and have proactively supported them during the pre-selection process with the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The signing of the MoU signifies a crucial milestone in our collaboration, reinforcing our alliance and paving the way for future industrial involvement. With our shared expertise and steadfast dedication, we will provide state-of-the-art solutions and exceptional support to the Netherlands’ helicopter fleet.”