StandardAero and the Netherland's Ministry of Defense are establishing a maintenance depot for engines powering F-35 fighters.

The depot will be located at Logistic Center Woensdrecht, a Netherlands Air Force Base and is expected to achieve operational capability by the end of 2019, StandardAero reported.

A Letter of Intent for the F135 engine maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade facility was signed recently by a Royal Netherlands Air Force representative and Scott Starrett, president of StandardAero Military & Energy.

The LOI marks the start of the process of developing the strategic partnership for servicing upgrade activities on F135 engines, which are made by Pratt & Whitney.

"This LOI marks the starting point of a common vision and goal for this very important partnership," said Starrett. "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 F135 engine MRO capabilities from Woensdrecht Air Force Base."

StandardAero, headquartered in the United States, said it facilitated the agreement through its acquisition of DutchAero Services from GE/Avio in March of last year. Since then, it has taken over existing operations to establish a defense services business unit for providing military MRO&U services for Pratt & Whitney F100 and now, for F135 engines.