Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace Team Up to Manufacture Key Components

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Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace Team Up to Manufacture Key Components

Belgium has entered an agreement with Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX, to enhance domestic aerospace capabilities. This contract focuses on the production of critical components for the F135 engine, which powers the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet. The signing ceremony took place at Base aérienne Jean Offenberg in Florennes, attended by notable officials including David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister, and Theo Francken, Minister of Defence.

Strategic Partnership for Aerospace Manufacturing

The partnership between Safran Aero Boosters and BMT Aerospace is crucial to this initiative. Safran Aero Boosters will develop the manufacturing capabilities required for key components of the F135 engine. This collaboration will enable an innovative approach to production, enhancing the overall capacity of the Belgian aerospace industry.

Key Benefits for Belgium

  • Industrial Strengthening: The agreement seeks to solidify Belgium’s role in the F-35 program’s value chain.
  • Job Creation: It aims to foster employment opportunities within Belgium’s aerospace sector.
  • Regional Collaboration: The alliance showcases cooperation between Wallonia and Flanders, Belgium’s two main regions.

For several years, Safran Aero Boosters has collaborated with BMT Aerospace on a Research and Technology project to advance production processes for F135-engine components. This latest agreement with Pratt & Whitney signifies a notable step in strengthening industrial ties and promoting technological advancement.

Government Commitment to Economic Development

Belgian officials expressed strong support for this agreement as a means to bolster national sovereignty and economic growth. François Lepot, CEO of Safran Aero Boosters, emphasized the importance of this initiative for the Belgian industrial sector. Meanwhile, Benoit Reynders, CEO of BMT Aerospace, highlighted the innovative nature of this collaboration.

Clarinval commented on the project’s dual significance; it serves both military and economic purposes. “The F-35 program represents a strategic investment in our country’s industrial framework,” he noted.

The agreement is also a testament to the Belgian government’s commitment to transatlantic cooperation with its American allies, underlining the importance of innovation in maintaining national defense capabilities.