Bucharest, June 29, 2023 – A maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center for Black Hawk helicopters would be opened in Bacău, through a partnership between the American company in the aerospace and security industry Lockheed Martin and the Romanian company Aerostar S.A.
“Following a contract signed between the two companies in January, the Black Hawk MRO center is scheduled to be fully accredited and operational when the seven S-70 Black Hawk helicopters arrive in Romania later this year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Romania signed a framework agreement for a fleet of up to 12 Black Hawk in November 2021 to respond to the needs of the country’s emergency services”, according to a press release from Lockheed Martin, according to Agerpres.
“This center, when it will be operational, will contribute to the creation and maintenance of highly qualified jobs in Romania”, according to Ray Piselli, vice president for international affairs of Lockheed Martin, quoted in the press release.
“Also, it will allow increasing the level of training and reducing operational costs for the Black Hawk helicopters operated here. As we look to integrate support for other Lockheed Martin products, we anticipate that this center has strong potential for future growth,” he added.
After completing an audit of Aerostar and its facilities, Lockheed Martin states that it is awaiting an evaluation of the plans of the facilities by the Romanian authorities. Aerostar employees have already completed the required MRO training at the Sikorsky Lockheed Martin Training Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“Through this new capability, Aerostar will continue and go through the entire process of taking over the MRO activities necessary for the new aircraft in Romania and in the region. We want to strengthen Romania’s position on this market and rely on our technical capabilities and knowledge to stimulate cooperation with other Romanian companies in this field”, said Grigore Filip, president and CEO of Aerostar, quoted in the same press release.
“Built at Lockheed Martin’s PZL Mielec plant in Poland, the popular S-70 Black Hawk has earned its status as a trusted utility aircraft for operators around the world, featuring unmatched multi-mission versatility and military-grade airworthiness, capable to operate in extreme weather conditions, day or night”, states the American company.
Officials from Romania and Poland signed in September 2021 a framework agreement for the supply of 12 medium-heavy multifunctional Black Hawk helicopters, intended to carry out rescue missions by the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU).
The value of the contract is over 269 million euros without VAT, the aircraft being manufactured in Poland by the PZL Mielec company, where Black Hawk helicopters are built for Europe.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is an international aerospace and security company with approximately 116,000 employees worldwide, specializing in the research, design, development, production, integration and maintenance of systems, products and advanced technological services.
