Embraer, Fokker eye joint projects

Brazil's Embraer and the Netherlands' Fokker Services and Fokker Techniek have agreed to explore opportunities to work together in the defence, commercial, and support markets, according to the three aviation companies.

Potential areas of collaboration in defence include meeting specific end-user requirements for Embraer's C-390 Millennium transport plane, modifying aircraft to perform specialised missions, and repairing aircraft.

The three companies formalised their relationship by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the Netherlands on 18 October.

“This is a very important step on Embraer's strategy to establish meaningful and strategic partnerships around the globe,” said Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

Embraer manufactures military and commercial aircraft, while Fokker Services maintains such platforms, and Fokker Techniek modifies and refurbishes them. Fokker Services and Fokker Techniek make up the Fokker Services Group and were acquired by Dutch investment firm Panta Holdings from UK-based GKN Aerospace in April.

The MoU signing follows Embraer's announcement in August that it had opened an office in Budapest to promote collaboration with Hungarian industry.