AEC Skyline and Top Aces Inc. awarded Dutch commercial Adversary Air Training contract
Rotterdam, November 21, 2024 – Today, at the NIDV Exhibition Defense & Security (NEDS) in Rotterdam, NL, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), awarded AEC Skyline and Top Aces a framework agreement for the provision of advanced Adversary Air (ADAIR) training services. Beginning January 1, 2025, the AEC Skyline-Top Aces team will significantly enhance the training experience for the Netherlands’ Air Combat, Air Mobility, and Defense Helicopter Commands under a proof of concept (PoC) scheme.
The Netherlands, like many other European NATO member countries, require a highly sophisticated training opponent to challenge its F-35 equipped 5th Generation fighter squadrons. The same requirement applies to the RNLAF’s helicopter and fixed-wing transport units. Possessing 3rd and 4th Generation ADAIR platforms capable of replicating near-peer threat aircraft, the AEC Skyline-Top Aces team will also provide related Advice and Assistance (A&A) as well as Concept Development and Experimentation (CD&E) support.
The collaboration between both companies began in early 2023. Since then, they have participated together in the major combined air operations exercise “Frisian Flag”, led by the RNLAF, among others. Later that year, during NEDS 2023, AEC Skyline and Top Aces officially announced their partnership, unveiling an exclusive teaming agreement for the joint provision of advanced defense training solutions in the Low Countries.
“Since partnering with Top Aces, our goal has been to enhance the quality of training for F-35 operators,” stated Mr. Stef Have, CEO and Managing Director of AEC Skyline. “We are eager to begin delivering on this promise for the Dutch customer under this new PoC scheme.”
Top Aces, renowned for its premium ADAIR and JTAC training solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, Canadian Department of National Defense, and German Bundeswehr, operates a large fleet of high-performance aircraft including the world’s only commercial F-16 Fighting Falcon, the A-4 Skyhawk, Alpha Jet, Learjet 35, and a variety of turbo prop platforms. The open architecture nature of Top Aces’ proprietary Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS) allows its F-16 and A-4 Advanced Aggressor Fighters to carry high-end sensors such as active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, infrared search and track (IRST), as well as many other advanced upgrades that replicate modern threat capabilities. Top Aces’ offerings complement AEC Skyline’s contracted air training for the Dutch and other armed forces, which utilize the Learjet 36A, GA8 Airvan, and its upgraded L-39 Albatros aircraft.
Mr. Didier Toussaint, Group President of Top Aces Inc., stated: “We are truly honored to have been selected by the RNLAF as a trusted partner to provide advanced air combat training capabilities. Together with AEC Skyline, we look forward to training the next generations of combat leaders for the Dutch military.”
Photo courtesy Top Aces
