PAL Aerospace to Modify Dutch Coastguard DHC-8 Aircraft

PAL Aerospace will modify and deliver two fully missionized DHC-8 (Dash 8) aircraft operated by the Netherlands Coastguard under a new contract likely to be signed soon.

Exchange Income Corporation (EIC) announced last week that its subsidiary, PAL Aerospace, received notice of the preliminary contract award decision regarding a performance based contract to provide Maritime Patrol Aircraft as Air Reconnaissance Capacity for the Netherlands Coastguard.

This future contract, to be executed for Ministry of Defence for the Netherlands on behalf of the Netherlands Coastguard, would see PAL Aerospace and its consortium member JetSupport, modify and deliver two fully missionized DHC-8 aircraft, provide crew training on all systems and support the operation of the aircraft for an initial ten-year period with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms.

“Through a careful and thorough evaluation of tenders submitted to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, the JetSupport/PAL bid (acting as a consortium) was found to have the Best-Price-Quality-Ratio. In accordance with the Dutch Public Procurement Law, there is a prescribed stand-still period following the preliminary notification of award before the contract award decision becomes final. PAL and JetSupport anticipate receiving the final award decision shortly,” EIC said in a statement August 6.

The Maritime Patrol Aircraft associated with this contract will be missionized to provide air reconnaissance capacity in the North Sea for the Netherlands Coast Guard. Tasks will include surveillance activities, search and rescue, law enforcement, and periodical deployments in support of the European Coast Guard and Border Agency (FRONTEX).