Thales and Dutch Royal Air Force sign agreement for cooperative testing and maintenance of radar equipment

Logistiek Centrum Woensdrecht (LCW) and Thales Nederland signed an agreement on Friday 3 June to cooperate in the area of maintenance and testing facilities at the LCW. Radar equipment used in a range of aircraft types, like F16's, helicopters or the new F35 fighter jet may be tested here. Besides that, these testing facilities will be used for services to third parties. 

Back in June 2015 Thales already opened a site at the Logistiek Centrum Woensdrecht, to work more closely with the Royal Air Force. This particular agreement, which was signed by Major Frans Lugtmeijer (Ministery of Defense) and John Alfrink (VP Sales at Thales).

Employment

Commodore MSc M.H. (Mario) Verbeek: ‘’This agreement enables Defense to take serious steps in supporting the operational customer together with the business, with the aim of reducing maintenance costs, improve the availability of aircrafts and facilitate the future maintenance of the F-35. It supports the Maintenance Vally initiative and area development Aviolanda to develop aviation related activities on and around airbase Woensdrecht. This collaboration is good for employment in the region. Thales expects to create around 30 or 40 extra jobs within several years."

Antennemeetruimte verhuist van Hengelo naar Woensdrecht

F-16 and Patriot radar equipment was previously tested at Thales' site in Hengelo. This was done in a Compact Antenna Test Range (CATR). This CATR facility will now be moved to Woensdrecht and will be operational this fall.