Saab Chooses StandardAero to Maintain Gripen Engines In Canada
Saab, in partnership with General Electric Aviation Canada (GE), have selected StandardAero to maintain and repair Gripen’s engine in Canada as a part of Saab's offer for Canada's Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP).
StandardAero will provide support to the fleet of Gripen fighters in Winnipeg to maintain the GE-F414-39E engine. Founded in 1911 in Manitoba, StandardAero is one of the global aerospace industry’s largest independent Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) providers.
"When our Gripen for Canada Team member GE Aviation endorsed StandardAero as a world class service provider, we immediately sought to engage them in our FFCP bid,” said Patrick Palmer, Executive Vice President for Saab Canada.
Canada is currently seeking new fighter jets to replace the nation’s aging fleet of CF-18s. Saab has responded with a comprehensive proposal for 88 Gripen fighters and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) that contribute to the economy in partnership with local industry. The "Gripen for Canada Team" is composed of leading Canadian aerospace companies IMP Aerospace & Defence, CAE, Peraton Canada and GE Aviation, which will ensure Gripen is the true ‘Made in Canada’ solution for the fighter replacement.
Saab and GE Aviation’s partnership with StandardAero further grows the economic impact of Gripen across Canada, and secures the greatest possible performance for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
"We have a long and distinguished history supporting the RCAF and we look forward to leveraging our past performance to bring timely, reliable and cost effective support to the Canadian Future Fighter Capability Project,” said Marc Drobny, President of StandardAero’s Military & Energy division. “As a former fighter pilot with thousands of hours flying GE F404/F414 engines, I take great personal pride in our team’s ability to provide the RCAF with exceptional operational readiness through reliable and high-performing engines.”
GE’s F414-39E engine is the exclusive powerplant of Gripen E. The engine builds on the success of its predecessor, the GE F404, which powers previous generations of Gripen.
“GE is honored to support Saab’s bid for the Canada Future Fighter Competition,” said Heather Caplan, GE F414 International Program Director. “With more than five million flight hours experience, Canada can count on the F414 to deliver reliable, maintainable propulsion to the Royal Canadian Air Force.”
"Gripen fighters are widely regarded to have the highest overall availability rates in the industry, and support from StandardAero and GE Aviation will provide superior engine availability - allowing the RCAF pilots to spend more time in the sky and less time on the ground," said Palmer.
Learn more about Saab’s offer to Canada and the Gripen for Canada Team at gripen.ca
For further information, please contact:
Saab Press Centre,
+46 (0)734 180 018
presscentre@saabgroup.com
Sierra Fullerton,
Communication Manager, Saab Canada, Inc.
Mobile +1 613 222-4666
Email: sierra.fullerton@ca.saabgroup.com
www.saab.com
Twitter: @Saab
Facebook: @saabtechnologies
LinkedIn: Saab
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Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions within military defence and civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents around the world. Through innovative, collaborative and pragmatic thinking, Saab develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.
For further information about General Electric Aviation Canada, please contact:
William “Cole” Massie
Media Relations, GE Aviation
Mobile: +1 513 288-4489
Email: William.massie@ge.com
About General Electric Aviation Canada
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, as well as integrated systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. In turn, GE Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of GE. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter and YouTube.
For further information about StandardAero, please contact:
Kyle Hultquist
1.480.377.3192 (office)
1.602.577.2875 (cell)
kyle.hultquist@standardaero.com
About StandardAero
StandardAero offers extensive MRO services and custom solutions for business aviation, commercial aviation, military, and industrial power customers. More than 5,400 professional, administrative and technical employees work in 40+ major facilities worldwide, with additional strategically located regional service and support centers all across the globe.