Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
Fokker Services has signed an Abacus component repair service agreement with South African Express in support of the carrier’s seven Bombardier Q300s.
Under the two-year contract, plus option to extend for another three years, Fokker Services will provide repair and overhaul services for SA Express at fixed cost and within a guaranteed turn around time.
Abacus, the component availability programme of Fokker Services, offers guaranteed availability of serviceable components and customised component repair and overhaul services. Currently Fokker Services supports over 200 aircraft with 30 operators in various configurations of which five are Dash 8/Q Series operators with 34 aircraft.
SA Express operates an all Bombardier fleet of 12 CRJ200s, two CRJ700s, two Q400s and the seven Q300s covered by this agreement.
Ramon Vahed, general manager technical aircraft maintenance and engineering of SA Express, commented, ‘’We trust that this Abacus component agreement will result in lower inventory cost and improved service levels. We have been working with Fokker Services over the past year to develop this agreement and are convinced that it will add value to our operations. The experience of Fokker Services in supporting out of production aircraft is an asset for the industry.”
The photo shows Ramon Vahed (SA Express) and Erik Geertsema (Fokker Services) signing the agreement at the Air Africa 2010 conference, in Johannesburg,
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
Speaking before a committee on European affairs, the speakers addressed recent developments following an eventful few days. During this period, the UK pushed for increased support for Ukraine, while the EU eased budget constraints to allow for greater defence spending. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump introduced tariffs that could impact the defence industry.
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.