Pratt Signs Long-Term Repair Contract With Israel

Pratt & Whitney has landed its longest-term contract ever for repairing military fighter engines, reaching a 15-year agreement to maintain and upgrade aircraft for Israel's air force.

The contact, starting Jan. 1, covers the entire Israeli fleet of F-151 and F-161 aircraft. East Hartford-based Pratt declined to disclose the value of the contract, but one business news service in Israel reported it to be in excess of $500 million.

In the past decade, Pratt has been expanding its decades-old spare parts business to include a more comprehensive monitoring and repair business, reflecting a trend in the jet engine industry.

Pratt, a unit of Farmington-based United Technologies Corp., said the Israeli air force has been a customer since 1947. The length of the contract will allow Pratt to find ways for the Israeli fleet to run more efficiently, potentially helping the country save money.

The contract covers the full fleet of Israeli F100-PW-229 engines.

"This contract sets a new benchmark for our military customers," said Bennett Croswell, president of Pratt & Whitney's military engine business.

As of March 31, Pratt's overall spare parts and engine repair service contracts -- commercial, military and Pratt & Whitney Canada -- were valued at $57 billion, a 50 percent increase above 2010. Commercial is the largest part of that business.