The Gosselies (Charleroi, Belgium) site of Sabca awarded US Air Force contract for maintenance its 80 F-16s on European soil. The contract represents an estimated turnover of around $ 250 million. It represents more than 100 direct jobs in Charleroi and on bases throughout Europe for 10 years.

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Staff Sgt. Jacob Lee and Airman 1st Class Lawrence Croby, 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew, repair the weapons systems on an F-16C Fighting Falcon at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 4, 2014 (Picture source: US Air Force)

“This contract confirms Sabca Charleroi as a center of expertise for F-16s in Europe and will also provide jobs for the next 10 years,” said the Belgian company in a statement. The contract includes scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of the F-16s, an aircraft life extension program from 8,000 to 12,000 flight hours and technical assistance for the F-16 “on base” throughout Europe. The duration of the contract is five years and is renewable for another five years.

"Thanks to our joint effort, we remain one of the three USAF F-16 maintenance centres in the world”, says Stéphane Burton, CEO of the Blueberry Group and the Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul division of Blueberry (MRO) which includes SABCA MRO in Charleroi.

“SABCA MRO’s activities in Charleroi fit perfectly into Sabena Aerospace’s MRO offer for military and civilian aircraft, which anchors our Belgian group as a solid and reliable MRO partner for governments, air forces, airlines. airlines and aircraft manufacturers around the world “.

"By joining forces with those of SABCA and SABENA Aerospace, we are already serving airplanes the most common in Europe such as the C-130, the F-16, the Boeing E3 Awacs and the A400M “, adds Burton.