The Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) has signed a five-year, $19 million support contract with MD Helicopters to support SANG’s 12 MD 530F flight training helicopters, which began service in 2013. Under the contract, which covers a base year and four optional years, MD Helicopters is supporting SANG with a field service representative and logistics technician based in Saudi Arabia, as well as more than $1 million worth of spare parts that will be delivered this month.
According to MD Helicopters, the SANG fleet “was previously maintained by an in-country contractor. The department requested OEM support to increase the maintenance quality and material support. MD will provide direct support for the aircraft, which will improve maintenance and parts acquisition while reducing costs and downtime.”
“The Saudi Arabian National Guard is a long-time MD customer, and it is our privilege to be their preferred partner for ensuring timely and cost-effective maintenance of the fleet,” said MD Helicopters president Ryan Weeks. “By working directly with MD, SANG will experience increased responsiveness, faster turn times, and higher quality work, which translates into time and money savings.”