Boeing’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Alsalam Aircraft Company of Saudi Arabia will be formally recognized on Tuesday, when senior managers from the two companies meet to reveal expansion plans. Alsalam grew out of an offset agreement with Boeing, but until last year the American company owned only 50 percent of the Riyadh-based MRO. It now holds 60 percent of Alsalam through the Boeing Industrial Technology Group, while Boeing International Support Systems serves as the vehicle to drive the expansion.
The partnership is expected to announce a new VIP aircraft maintenance division, and a boost to Alsalam’s technical training program for aspiring young Saudi engineers. The parties might also discuss a recent contract to add Link 16 capability to the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) E-3 AWACS fleet. Alsalam already provides depot maintenance for the RSAF’s E-3s, as well as the large Saudi fleets of F-15 Eagle fighters and C-130 Hercules transports.
