BAE SYSTEMS and GAMCO near agreement on Hawk support joint venture

The two companies expect to put a new company in place early next year.

The new company is being formed to maintain the UAE Air Force Hawk fleet of 36 aircraft through an arrangement worth tens of millions of dollars a year.

It will build a Repair Centre of Excellence for aircraft and component deep level maintenance and will have the capacity to provide a similar support service to other Gulf region air forces. Operations are expected to start before the end of 2004.

'We have been working hard with GAMCO since the IDEX exhibition in March to reach agreement,' said BAE Systems Hawk Support Director Alex Findlay. 'This will be the first overseas Hawk maintenance joint venture we have set up and shows the high regard we have for GAMCO's capabilities and reputation.

'Part of our culture with BAE Systems is to work through partnering arrangements with other organisations and we are confident of a long and productive relationship with GAMCO and the UAE AF& AD.

Saif M.A. Al Mughairy, General Manager, GAMCO, said the joint venture provides a development opportunity for GAMCO.

'GAMCO has established itself very well in the civil market. On the other hand, GAMCO has previously maintained military support aircraft, such as the C130 and CASA. Working on the Hawk, which is both a training and a light attack aircraft, moves GAMCO's capabilities closer to support of front line aircraft such as fighters.

'GAMCO is pleased to join with BAE Systems and is looking forward to a successful and long term partnership,' added Al Mughairy.