MRO & Manufacturing
Safran and HAL Boost India’s Aerospace Growth with LEAP Engine Pact
The collaboration between Safran Aircraft Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a significant milestone in India’s aerospace sector. This partnership, formalized during the Aero India trade show in Bengaluru, underscores the growing importance of India as a global hub for aerospace manufacturing. The agreement focuses on the production of turbine forged parts for LEAP engines, which power single-aisle civil aircraft worldwide. This deal is a testament to the success of India’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost local manufacturing and industrial cooperation.
India’s aerospace industry has been on an upward trajectory, driven by increasing demand for commercial aircraft and the government’s push for self-reliance in defense and aviation. The partnership between Safran and HAL is not just a business agreement; it’s a strategic move that positions India as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain. With over 370 LEAP-powered aircraft operated by Indian airlines and more than 2,000 engines on order, this collaboration is set to have a profound impact on the industry.
The long-standing relationship between Safran and HAL has been strengthened through joint projects like the development of the Shakti helicopter engine and the co-design of the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) engine. This latest agreement builds on that foundation, further cementing India’s role in high-precision engine component production. As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this will be crucial in meeting global demand and driving innovation.
The contract between Safran and HAL is a significant step in strengthening industrial cooperation under the “Make in India” initiative. HAL will manufacture turbine forged parts at its state-of-the-art Ring Rolling facility in Bengaluru, supporting the global production ramp-up of the LEAP engine program. This facility is a testament to India’s growing capabilities in aerospace manufacturing, showcasing the country’s ability to produce high-precision components that meet international standards.
Safran’s commitment to India is evident in its expanding footprint in the country. With five production units already operational and a sixth facility dedicated to LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities planned in Hyderabad, Safran is developing a complete industrial ecosystem in India. This ecosystem is backed by major Indian partners, including Titan Engineering and Automation Limited (TEAL), which is also involved in the production of LEAP engine turbine parts.
Dr. D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “Safran and HAL have shared a longstanding relationship, strengthened over the past few decades through the joint development of the Shakti helicopter engine. We are delighted to elevate this collaboration further and support their LEAP engine production with critical nickel ring forgings.” This collaboration not only enhances HAL’s role in global aerospace manufacturing but also aligns with India’s vision of becoming a self-reliant aerospace hub.
“This partnership aligns perfectly with the objectives set in our 2023 agreement for the production of forged parts.” – Dominique Dupuy, Safran Aircraft Engines’ Vice President of Purchasing
The LEAP engine is a high-demand product globally, powering a significant portion of commercial aircraft. This partnership helps Safran meet the global demand for LEAP engines while supporting India’s aerospace growth. As the aerospace industry increasingly focuses on local manufacturing and industrial cooperation, partnerships like this are becoming essential in reducing costs and enhancing efficiency. The “Make in India” initiative has been a driving force behind this collaboration, aiming to transform India into a global manufacturing hub. This contract is a significant step in achieving this goal, particularly in the aerospace sector. By leveraging India’s skilled workforce and advanced manufacturing capabilities, Safran and HAL are setting a benchmark for future collaborations in the industry.
Looking ahead, the partnership between Safran and HAL has the potential to drive further innovation and growth in India’s aerospace sector. With the planned opening of Safran’s MRO facility in Hyderabad and the continued expansion of HAL’s manufacturing capabilities, India is well-positioned to become a key player in the global aerospace supply chain. This collaboration not only benefits the two companies but also contributes to the broader goal of making India a self-reliant aerospace hub.
The partnership between Safran and HAL is a significant milestone in India’s aerospace journey. By collaborating on the production of turbine forged parts for LEAP engines, the two companies are strengthening India’s position in the global aerospace supply chain. This agreement aligns with the “Make in India” initiative, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in high-precision manufacturing.
As the aerospace industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this will be crucial in meeting global demand and driving innovation. With Safran’s expanding footprint in India and HAL’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the future looks promising for India’s aerospace sector. This collaboration not only enhances the capabilities of both companies but also contributes to the broader goal of making India a self-reliant aerospace hub.
Question: What is the significance of the Safran-HAL partnership? Question: How does this collaboration align with the “Make in India” initiative? Question: What are the future prospects of this partnership? Sources: AviTrader, Business Standard
Safran and HAL Propel India’s Aerospace Growth
Strengthening Industrial Cooperation
Global Implications and Future Prospects
Conclusion
FAQ
Answer: The partnership strengthens India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supports the global production of LEAP engines.
Answer: It promotes local manufacturing and industrial cooperation, boosting India’s aerospace industry.
Answer: The collaboration has the potential to drive further innovation and growth, positioning India as a key player in the global aerospace supply chain.
MRO & Manufacturing
Bombardier Acquires Velocity Maintenance Solutions to Expand US Service Network
Bombardier acquires Velocity Maintenance Solutions, adding a Delaware facility and mobile repair units to enhance its U.S. aftermarket services.
On February 9, 2026, Bombardier announced the acquisition of Velocity Maintenance Solutions, a specialized provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services based in Wilmington, Delaware. The transaction, executed through Bombardier’s U.S. subsidiary Learjet Inc., represents a strategic expansion of the manufacturer’s aftermarket footprint in the high-traffic Northeast corridor.
The acquisition provides Bombardier with immediate access to a 35,000-square-foot facility at New Castle Airport (ILG) and a fleet of mobile repair units designed for rapid response. While financial terms of the deal remain confidential, the move aligns with the company’s stated objective to grow its services revenue and secure a stronger domestic presence in the United States.
According to the company’s official statement, the acquisition is designed to bolster support for Bombardier’s growing fleet of business jets, including the ultra-long-range Global 8000. By integrating Velocity Maintenance Solutions, Bombardier aims to capture more of the lifecycle maintenance market, a sector that offers stable margins compared to the cyclical nature of aircraft sales.
The deal includes significant physical and operational assets that will be integrated into Bombardier’s service network:
Paul Sislian, Executive Vice President of Bombardier Aftermarket Services, highlighted the cultural fit between the two organizations in the press release.
“Velocity Maintenance Solutions’ capabilities and customer-focused culture make it an excellent fit for Bombardier… This acquisition is part of our commitment to continually elevate our service standards.”
Velocity Maintenance Solutions has established itself as an agile player in the MRO space since its emergence around 2021. As an FAA Part 145 Repair Station, the company is authorized to perform scheduled maintenance, structural repairs, and avionics upgrades.
Prior to the acquisition, Velocity serviced a diverse range of aircraft, including models from Embraer, Dassault Falcon, Gulfstream, and Textron, in addition to Bombardier jets. The facility is known for its 24/7 emergency support capabilities, a critical service for business jet operators requiring immediate dispatch reliability.
This acquisition arrives during a complex period for the aerospace industry, characterized by both consolidation and geopolitical friction. By executing the purchase through Learjet Inc., a heritage U.S. brand based in Wichita, Kansas, Bombardier reinforces its status as a significant U.S. employer. This distinction is increasingly vital as the company navigates trade tensions, including recent tariff threats from the U.S. administration regarding Canadian aerospace products.
Expanding physical infrastructure within the United States serves a dual purpose: it insulates the company’s service supply chain from potential cross-border friction and strengthens its eligibility for U.S. defense contracts. Furthermore, in an industry facing a chronic shortage of skilled labor, acquiring a “turnkey” operation with a certified workforce allows Bombardier to bypass the long lead times associated with recruiting and training new technicians. The location in Wilmington also places Bombardier in direct competition with other major service providers at New Castle Airport, including a Dassault Falcon service center, signaling an aggressive push to dominate the Northeast service market.
The acquisition was made by Learjet Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Bombardier.
The existing team of technicians and support staff at Velocity Maintenance Solutions will be retained and integrated into Bombardier’s workforce.
While the press release emphasizes support for Bombardier’s fleet, Velocity has historically serviced various manufacturers. OEMs often honor existing third-party contracts during transition periods, though the long-term focus typically shifts to the parent company’s products.
Bombardier Acquires Velocity Maintenance Solutions to Densify U.S. Service Network
Expanding the Aftermarket Ecosystem
Target Profile: Velocity Maintenance Solutions
AirPro News Analysis: Strategic and Political Context
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the acquiring entity?
What happens to the current workforce?
Will Velocity continue to service non-Bombardier aircraft?
Sources
Photo Credit: Velocity Maintenance Solutions
MRO & Manufacturing
Satair and Joramco Extend 25-Year Partnership at MRO Middle East 2026
Satair and Joramco renew their 25-year supply agreement at MRO Middle East 2026, supporting Joramco’s maintenance operations and new contracts.
This article is based on an official press release from Satair and additional industry reporting regarding MRO Middle East 2026.
At the MRO Middle East 2026 exhibition in Dubai, Satair, an Airbus Services company, and Joramco (Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Limited) officially announced the renewal of their long-standing Consumables and Expendables Supply Agreement. The deal marks the continuation of a strategic partnership that has spanned more than a quarter of a century, reinforcing the critical role of integrated supply chains in the growing Middle Eastern aviation maintenance sector.
According to the announcement, the renewed agreement is designed to secure a consistent flow of essential spare parts for Joramco’s base maintenance operations in Amman, Jordan. By locking in this supply chain solution, Joramco aims to minimize “Aircraft on Ground” (AOG) risks and reduce the complexity of material management for its expanding customer base.
The partnership between Satair and Joramco is one of the most enduring in the region. For over 25 years, Satair has served as a primary provider of consumables and expendables, high-volume, low-cost parts essential for routine maintenance, to the Jordan-based MRO provider.
In the official release, the companies highlighted the operational benefits of the extension. The agreement allows Joramco to leverage Satair’s global distribution network, ensuring that parts are available precisely when needed. This “just-in-time” capability is vital for MROs (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul providers) striving to offer competitive turnaround times to airlines.
A primary focus of the renewal is the mitigation of supply chain disruptions. By outsourcing the management of consumables to Satair, Joramco can focus its internal resources on heavy maintenance and engineering tasks rather than logistics. The agreement reportedly covers a comprehensive range of Airbus and Boeing fleet requirements, aligning with Joramco’s diverse capabilities.
“This continued partnership with Satair ensures we have the right parts at the right time, allowing us to deliver superior turnaround times to our global customers.”
, Statement attributed to Joramco leadership regarding the renewal
The renewal comes amidst a flurry of activity at MRO Middle East 2026, where both companies have announced significant independent expansions. The event, held on February 4–5, 2026, has served as a platform for major industry shifts in the region. According to industry reporting from the event, Joramco has also secured a major five-year heavy maintenance agreement with the German leisure carrier Condor. This deal will see Joramco performing base maintenance on Condor’s entire Airbus fleet, including the A320ceo, A320neo, and A330neo. Additionally, Joramco celebrated the first graduates of its Structured On-the-Job Training (SOJT) program, a move aimed at addressing the global shortage of skilled aviation technicians.
Simultaneously, Satair has expanded its footprint in the sustainability sector. Reports from the event indicate Satair signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GAMECO (Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co.) to enter the Used Serviceable Material (USM) market, addressing the rising demand for cost-effective and sustainable parts solutions.
The renewal of the Satair-Joramco agreement highlights a critical trend in the post-2025 aviation landscape: the prioritization of supply chain resilience. In an era where global parts shortages have frequently grounded fleets, MRO providers are increasingly moving toward long-term, integrated agreements with major distributors rather than relying on spot-market purchasing.
Furthermore, the Middle East’s trajectory as a global MRO hub is evident in these announcements. Joramco’s ability to secure European contracts like the Condor deal, backed by a robust supply chain from Satair, suggests that regional players are successfully competing on a global scale by combining geographic advantages with high-grade logistical reliability.
Satair and Joramco Extend 25-Year Supply Chain Partnership at MRO Middle East 2026
Strengthening a Quarter-Century Alliance
Operational Efficiency and AOG Reduction
Broader Context: MRO Middle East 2026 Developments
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Photo Credit: Satair
MRO & Manufacturing
Joramco Renews Maintenance Agreement with mas Cargo Airline for 2026
Joramco extends its maintenance contract with Mexican cargo airline mas for heavy checks on Airbus A330 freighters throughout 2026 at its Amman facility.
This article is based on an official press release from Joramco.
Joramco, the Amman-based aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility and engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), has officially announced the renewal of its maintenance agreement with mas (formerly MasAir), a prominent Mexican cargo airline. The agreement was finalized and signed during the MRO Middle East 2026 exhibition in Dubai, marking a continuation of the strategic partnership between the two entities.
Under the terms of the renewed contract, Joramco will perform heavy base maintenance checks on the mas fleet of Airbus A330 freighters. The work is scheduled to take place throughout 2026 at Joramco’s facility at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. This announcement underscores the MRO provider’s increasing traction in the global cargo sector and its ability to secure recurring business from international carriers outside its traditional regional stronghold.
According to the company’s announcement, the new deal focuses specifically on heavy base maintenance, often referred to as C-checks, for the carrier’s Airbus A330 fleet. These checks are critical for ensuring the continued airworthiness and operational reliability of the freighter aircraft, which are essential to mas’s global logistics network.
This renewal follows a successful initial collaboration established relatively recently. Joramco and mas first formalized their partnerships in October 2025 at the MRO Europe exhibition in London. That initial agreement covered maintenance checks that began in December 2025. The rapid renewal, signed just four months later, suggests a successful execution of the initial checks and a deepening of the business relationship.
In a statement regarding the renewal, Joramco’s leadership highlighted the significance of the repeat business.
“We are pleased to welcome more aircraft from mas at Joramco. This agreement reaffirms Joramco’s position as a trusted Global MRO provider of choice.”
, Adam Voss, CEO of Joramco
The agreement with mas aligns with Joramco’s broader strategy to expand its global footprint. By securing a renewal with a Latin American carrier, the Jordan-based MRO is demonstrating its competitiveness on a global scale, attracting airframes from the Americas to the Middle-East for heavy maintenance. The timing of this renewal is notable within the wider context of the MRO industry’s capacity constraints. In late 2025, Joramco inaugurated “Hangar 7,” a significant infrastructure expansion that reportedly increased its capacity to 22 parallel maintenance lines. This expansion appears to be paying dividends, allowing the facility to accommodate the “more aircraft” referenced by CEO Adam Voss.
Furthermore, the cargo market remains a demanding sector requiring high asset utilization. For a specialized Cargo-Aircraft airline like mas, which operates a modernizing fleet of Airbus A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) aircraft, securing reliable MRO slots is a strategic priority. The quick transition from an initial contract in late 2025 to a full-year renewal for 2026 indicates that Joramco has successfully met the technical and turnaround time requirements demanded by the cargo carrier.
Joramco: A subsidiary of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), Joramco has operated for over 60 years. Based in Amman, Jordan, it provides airframe maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer aircraft.
mas: Headquartered in Mexico City, mas (formerly MasAir) is a specialized cargo airline operating scheduled and charter freight services across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The airline has been actively expanding its capacity with Airbus A330 freighters to support its international network.
Sources:
Joramco Extends Maintenance Partnership with mas Cargo Airline for 2026
Scope of the Renewed Agreement
Strategic Context and Capacity Expansion
AirPro News Analysis
About the Companies
Photo Credit: Joramco
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