UMS SKELDAR, a joint venture between UMS AERO Group and Saab, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australia’s leading aviation related service provider Airflite, at the LAND FORCES 2018, Adelaide. As per the agreement, Airflite will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to UMS’  flagship SKELDAR V-200 and other rotary UAV products.

Besides the all-round solutions regarding maintenance and repair, Airflite will reportedly provide technical support for the entire rotary UAV portfolio of UMS, including the SKELDAR V-200, which is a NATO-compliant VTOL variant.

Sources close to the matter confirmed that Airflite will become a technical support partner of the global UMS SKELDAR, providing support staff and maintenance and engineering services for the V-200 UAV and its variants. As the company is developing operational footprint with military and civilian customers across the Pacific region, this agreement could be extremely beneficial as a regional base for support operations along the Pacific Rim, the sources continued.

Chief Executive of UMS SKELDAR, Axel Cavalli-Bjorkman, claimed that this MOU is a remarkable milestone in the company’s global operational support network. He further stated that to expand their service and capabilities in New Zealand, Australia and wider region, Airflite’s impressive customer portfolio will play a crucial role.

Homer Constantinides, Airflite’s Managing Director, also confirmed the agreement reports. He said that along with confirming their position as the number one player in the Australasia MRO market, the deal signifies a major commitment to Australia by an innovator like UMS.

According to records, to provide access to MRO services for the land and sea-based customers across the continent, Airflite’s operations cover Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia with facilities at two air force bases and four airports.

Further, UMS SKELDAR’s partners in Australia include Saab Australia, Sentient Vision Systems of Melbourne and Perth-based Orbital Corporation. Allegedly, the company has also been showing interest in services for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) next stage UAV tender.