The Netherlands' Ministry of Defence (MOD) and StandardAero have agreed to establish a F-35 military engine maintenance depot at Woensdrecht Logistic Center, a Netherlands Air Force Base.

The company and the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) have signed a letter of intent (LOI), which will cover maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO) and upgrade activities on F-35 engines.

StandardAero Military & Energy president Scott Starrett said: "This LOI marks the starting point of a common vision and goal for this very important partnership.

"We look forward to providing the world's finest F-35 engine MRO capabilities from Woensdrecht Air Force Base."

"Our international military services are aligned with all key constituents, including governments, OEMs and end users.

"We look forward to providing the world's finest F-35 engine MRO capabilities from Woensdrecht Air Force Base."

The proposed F-35 engine depot will be operated as a public-private partnership between the Netherlands and StandardAero through a government owned, company operated (GOCO) construct.

The Woensdrecht depot will become StandardAero's second MRO operation in the Netherlands and will cater to the maintenance needs of the RNLAF, as well as other military operators worldwide.

It is one of only three F-35 engine depots in Europe, according to a statement posted on the company's website.

The initial depot capability status is expected to be achieved by the end of 2019.

Earlier in 2014, the US Government selected Netherlands as one of its future F-35 depot locations in Europe.

Since then, both the Netherlands government and the Province of Noord-Brabant have secured funding to invest in facilities, tooling and equipment required to operate the depot.

Image: A RNLAF's F-35 Lightning II in flight. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force / Ministerie van Defensie.