Saudi Arabia’s SAMI Aircraft Complementary Equipment Company Limited (AACC) today announced the signing of a priority distribution agreement with Lockheed Martin’s wholly owned Derco Aerospace.

The partnership will build a high-speed C-130 supply chain solution to repair and maintain C-130 components, and the solution will include capability development to allow the gradual transfer of capabilities and skills in parts and agreed maintenance to ACI.

Under the agreement, AACC will become the preferred supplier of C-130 Hercules components to the Royal Saudi Air Force. The partnership with Derco will allow ACC to obtain support in managing component repair and maintenance, which includes Introduce capabilities to Aircraft Complementary Equipment Company Limited to facilitate the transfer of spare parts and agreed repair capabilities.

The partnership aims to advance Aircraft Complementary Equipment Limited’s vision to emerge as SAMI’s leading MRO hub and provider of military and commercial aviation services. Furthermore, the agreement will not only improve the manpower and resources of Aircraft Complementary Equipment Limited and increase its productivity, but will also allow Saudi technicians to gain valuable experience across a range of emerging military technologies.

The agreement will also allow SAMI to accelerate its long-term strategic objectives of helping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia build a sustainable and self-sufficient military industry through technology, knowledge and production transfer in collaboration with industry leaders.

This partnership also represents a new achievement for SAMI and Lockheed Martin, which last year signed a joint strategic project agreement to facilitate cooperation between the two companies in supporting Saudi local defense and security capabilities and achieving the goals of Vision 2030 for industrialization and economic growth.

Engineer Mazen Jawhar, CEO of Aircraft Complementary Equipment Company Ltd., said: “This important agreement will strengthen our relations with Lockheed Martin, contributing to meeting the Kingdom’s growing requirements in the field of localizing military equipment supplies and suppliers. We look forward to starting to activate our partnership with Derco, Which we believe will be very suitable for long-term technology transfer, job creation, local content development and achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”

Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia and Africa CEO Joseph Rank said: “The Royal Saudi Air Force is one of the largest and most recognized operators of the C-130 Hercules aircraft in the world, supporting critical national and regional missions, while ensuring Derco’s role as a supplier A favorite of this certified fleet of C-130 aircraft, the Royal Saudi Air Force crews continue to support various missions at any time.We are proud of the strong partnership relationship in the field of Hercules C-130 aircraft between Lockheed Martin and the Kingdom that extends for nearly 60 years, and we are honored By expanding our relationship and service to the Kingdom through this new and important partnership.”

Derco is a Lockheed Martin-certified repair facility for C-130 components, and the original and exclusive source for C-130-certified parts designed by Lockheed Martin. Derco is uniquely qualified to support Aircraft Complementary Equipment Limited in meeting RAF spare parts requirements, has signed more than 30 distribution and licensing agreements with system manufacturers, and offers customized solutions designed to improve fleet availability and reduce operational costs.

Complementary Equipment is participating in the World Defense Fair through the SAMI stand, displaying its complete products. SAMI is the strategic partner of the World Defense Exhibition (WDS) organized by the General Authority for Military Industries.

The inaugural edition of the exhibition, which is held every two years from March 6 to 9 at the purpose-built site in Riyadh, brings together more than 450 leading defense companies from nearly 37 countries showcasing the latest technologies in the defense industry: land, sea and air. , security, and space in an ideal networking environment for collaboration and innovation.