MILITARY AIRCRAFT
Airbus and Singapore’s DSTA to collaborate on maintenance activities
Study includes research and development of digital products and services
Singapore, 28 June 2018 – Airbus and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) have signed a collaborative agreement to study the joint research and development of digital products and services, which can help to optimise the maintenance and availability of the military platforms acquired and operated by Singapore.
The agreement was signed on 27 June 2018 on the sidelines of the Singapore Defence Technology Summit.
Potential areas of collaboration between Airbus and DSTA include 3D printing, augmented and virtual reality, maintenance information systems, paperless solutions, predictive maintenance and data analytics tools.
“At Airbus, we are always keen to work with our partners to develop the next generation of digital products and services that could transform the military aircraft maintenance business. We are proud to embark on this project with DSTA and Singapore, and this has the potential to be a long-term strategic collaboration with a key partner for our company,” said Stephan Miegel, Head of Military Aircraft Services, Airbus Defence and Space.
Singapore is an important customer for Airbus military products. In 2014, the country announced the acquisition of the next-generation A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) for its future air-to-air refuelling requirements, as well as airlift roles and missions including Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Peace Support Operations. Delivery of the platform will begin in 2018.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has also acquired various models of helicopters from Airbus. In 2016, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the acquisition of the H225M Super Puma medium lift helicopter to meet the Singapore Armed Forces’ requirements for a wide spectrum of operations.