RIYADH: Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) awarded SR545 million C-130 technical support services (TSP) contract to Riyadh-based Alsalam Aircraft Company, established in 1988 under Saudi Arabia's Economic Offset Program. RSAF has awarded the contract for a second time to Alsalam Aircraft Co., a joint venture company with Boeing Industrial Technology Group (BITG) which is holding 50 percent share, Saudi Arabian Airlines (25 percent), Saudi Advanced Industries Company (10 percent), Gulf Investment Company (10 percent), and the National Industrialization Company (five percent). The contract is for a period of five years from April 2011 to March 2016. In the contract, Alsalam will provide skilled manpower to support and train the RSAF to maintain the RSAF fleet within and outside the Kingdom. The first similar contract that Alsalam won for C-130 was for a period of three years from 2008 to 2011. “The RSAF and Alsalam Aircraft Company have a solid working relationship since 1989. Since then Alsalam has provided technical support and programmed depot maintenance (PDM) on RSAF fleets, including F-15, Tornados, AWACS E-3A and KE3-A F-15, C-130 in addition to the RSAF helicopter aircraft,” according to a company press statement. Alsalam success in these projects has enhanced its position as an “economic offset company”, the statement said. It contributes to the country's strategy to develop self-sufficiency in the field of civil and military aircraft maintenance, overhaul and modification through the transfer of technology and the training of Saudi nationals. By winning the C-130 TSP contract Alsalam is looking toward opening more career opportunities for Saudi nationals and continuing its plans to attract and hire Saudis in the aviation industry, it said. With a workforce of 2,700 employees on its payroll, Alsalam has achieved a 52-percent Saudization. The skilled workers have been engaged in various technical capacities both at civil and military programs across the country.
