Collins Aerospace and the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force (RNLASF) have announced a partnership to establish a new military avionics service center supporting European F-35 and CH-47F operations and improving fleet readiness.
The facility will offer long-term repair, maintenance, and logistics services under a government-owned, contractor-operated framework, with initial depot capability expected by 2026.
Located at the RNLASF Air Support Command base, the center will merge Collins Aerospace’s global sustainment capabilities with Dutch operational infrastructure. It will work alongside the existing F-35 pilot training site in Soesterberg and Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine depot to create a comprehensive support chain for Dutch defense aviation.
The effort is set to reduce maintenance turnaround times, increase fleet availability, and strengthen preparedness amid evolving and contested air environments.
Over the past year, the Netherlands has accelerated efforts to upgrade its military avionics portfolio. Collins Aerospace has scaled its European services by deploying advanced diagnostic and repair technologies for F-35 units, complementing new RNLASF digital maintenance systems.
Additionally, Thales Nederland has modernized NH90 helicopter avionics with improved communications, navigation, and mission systems to enhance NATO integration. The Netherlands also participated in joint European exercises focused on network-centric avionics, secure interoperability, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare robustness.
