The ESS2 contract, heralded as a game-changer, is a five-year agreement focusing on service-based and performance-oriented solutions. It was reached after intensive negotiations involving all stakeholders, including the EPI Parent Companies such as Safran Aircraft Engine SAS, MTU Aero Engines AG, Rolls Royce Deutschland Ltd, and ITP SAU.
This comprehensive contract not only continues the legacy services from the previous agreement, such as technical support and engine repairs but also introduces new, value-added services designed to enhance operational availability and prepare for future support phases. These include the analysis and storage of removed parts, strategic fleet management, and stock recommendations based on OEM fleet-wide modelling.
The contract also incorporates specific national services at a tactical level for some Participating States, enriching the support provided under this demanding agreement. Additionally, a detailed roadmap has been established to reduce the engine cost of ownership significantly.
OCCAR-EA Director Mr. Joachim Sucker emphasized the contract’s strategic importance, stating that it “resolves the past, addresses the current, and prepares for the future.” This governance framework ensures robust collaboration between OCCAR, with the backing of national experts, and EPI, fostering a sustainable long-term relationship beneficial to A400M operators across the participating nations.
