MRO & Manufacturing
Boeing and India Partner to Strengthen Aerospace Industry and Innovation
Boeing and India deepen their aerospace partnership focusing on manufacturing, MRO, and STEM workforce development aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
For over eight decades, the relationship between Boeing and India has evolved far beyond a simple transactional dynamic. It has matured into a deep-rooted strategic partnership, one that intertwines global aerospace leadership with a nation’s ambition for self-reliance. This collaboration is not merely about aircraft sales; it’s about co-creating an entire ecosystem, fostering innovation from the ground up, and building a resilient supply chain that serves both India and the world. The synergy is clear, powerful, and poised to define the next chapter in global aviation.
At the heart of this partnership is a powerful alignment with India’s national missions, ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Make in India’. These initiatives are the bedrock of India’s economic strategy, aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing, cultivate indigenous technological capabilities, and secure the nation’s place as a global industrial hub. Boeing’s strategy in India is a direct reflection of these goals. By investing in local manufacturing, nurturing talent, and developing a robust services network, the collaboration provides a significant tailwind to India’s aspirations, demonstrating a model of how global corporations can act as powerful enablers of national development.
The scope of this alliance is comprehensive, touching every facet of the aerospace industry. From the factory floor where critical aircraft components are built, to university labs where the next generation of innovators are mentored, the partnership’s influence is pervasive. It spans commercial and defense aviation, with a clear focus on three core pillars: advanced manufacturing, a self-sustaining services and maintenance infrastructure, and the cultivation of a skilled, future-ready workforce. It is through these pillars that we see the tangible results of a shared vision taking flight.
The most visible manifestation of the ‘Make in India’ initiative within this partnership is the Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL) joint venture. Located in Hyderabad, this state-of-the-art facility is a cornerstone of Boeing’s global supply chain and a powerful symbol of India’s industrial capability. It stands as the sole global producer of fuselages for the AH-64 Apache helicopter, one of the world’s most advanced multi-role combat helicopters. In addition to this critical defense component, TBAL also manufactures vertical fin structures for the widely used 737 family of airplanes, further integrating India into the commercial aviation value chain.
The impact of TBAL extends far beyond its own factory walls. The facility employs over 900 engineers and technicians, creating high-skilled jobs and fostering a culture of precision manufacturing. More importantly, it serves as an anchor for a broader network of local suppliers. Over 90% of the parts used in the Apache aerostructure assemblies are sourced from more than 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India. This deep integration energizes the local economy and elevates the technical proficiency of the entire supplier ecosystem. The delivery of the 300th Apache fuselage in February 2025 was not just a production milestone but a testament to the success of this collaborative model.
Beyond a single joint venture, the commitment to local sourcing is a foundational element of the partnership. Boeing sources over $1.25 billion in components and services from India annually, engaging a network of more than 300 supplier companies. This is not merely about cost-efficiency; it is a strategic investment in building a diverse and capable supply base. To further support this ecosystem, Boeing has established critical infrastructure, such as the India Distribution Center in Khurja, Uttar Pradesh. Inaugurated in 2024, this facility enhances the efficiency of service solutions for regional customers, ensuring that airlines and defense operators can maintain higher fleet utilization and mission readiness rates.
“Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited is an example of Boeing’s commitment towards co-development of integrated systems in aerospace and defence in India, for the world, and a reflection of the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.”
A truly self-reliant aerospace nation requires more than just manufacturing prowess; it needs a world-class infrastructure for maintaining, repairing, and overhauling its aircraft. Recognizing this, Boeing launched the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) program in 2021. The initiative is designed to create a robust, in-country MRO ecosystem for both commercial and defense platforms. By developing a network of Indian suppliers for engineering, maintenance, and repair services, the BIRDS program directly addresses a critical gap, reducing reliance on overseas facilities and significantly cutting down aircraft turnaround times.
The program has already yielded significant collaborations. A partnership with AI Engineering Services Limited (AIESL) is focused on the MRO of critical components for the Indian Navy’s fleet of P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, a cornerstone of India’s maritime surveillance capabilities. Another key partnership with Air Works is centered on conducting heavy maintenance checks for the same P-8I fleet. These collaborations not only enhance the operational readiness of India’s armed forces but also build a foundation of expertise that can serve the broader commercial aviation market, positioning India as a future MRO hub for the entire region. Investment in physical infrastructure is matched by an equally strong commitment to human capital. The Boeing Sukanya Program, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024, is a landmark initiative aimed at empowering girls and women to pursue careers in aviation. The program focuses on providing opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) by establishing labs in 150 planned locations and offering scholarships to women training to become pilots. This is particularly significant in a country where women already make up 15% of pilots, three times the global average. Complementing this is the Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) program, which nurtures entrepreneurship by connecting university students and startups with real-world aerospace challenges, providing mentorship and resources to transform innovative ideas into viable solutions.
The collaboration between Boeing and India has clearly transcended the traditional buyer-seller paradigm. It has become a comprehensive, multi-layered partnership built on shared goals of technological advancement, economic growth, and strategic self-reliance. The key pillars, deep manufacturing integration through TBAL, extensive local sourcing, the development of a sovereign MRO capability via the BIRDS program, and forward-looking investments in talent through the Sukanya and BUILD initiatives, all point to a long-term, symbiotic relationship. This is a partnership that is not just assembling aircraft parts, but assembling the future of an entire industry in India.
Looking ahead, this visionary alliance is set to soar even higher. It serves as a powerful blueprint for how global industry leaders can partner with nations to achieve ambitious development goals. The focus on co-development and co-production ensures that the relationship will continue to evolve, moving from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Create and Design in India’. As the global aerospace landscape shifts, the Boeing-India partnership is well-positioned to not only navigate the changes but to actively shape them, powering innovation that will benefit both India and the world for decades to come.
Question: What is the Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL)? Question: What is the Boeing Sukanya Program? Question: How much does Boeing source from its Indian suppliers?
A Partnership Forged in Trust: Charting the Future of Indian Aerospace
Building a Self-Reliant Aerospace Ecosystem
Beyond Manufacturing: Fostering Services and Skills
A Partnership for the Next Generation
FAQ
Answer: TBAL is a joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited located in Hyderabad. It is the sole global producer of fuselages for the AH-64 Apache helicopter and also manufactures vertical fin structures for the Boeing 737 family of airplanes, playing a key role in the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Answer: Launched in 2024, the Boeing Sukanya Program is an initiative designed to support and encourage more girls and women in India to enter the aviation sector. It provides access to STEM labs and offers scholarships to women training to become pilots, aiming to foster gender diversity and build a skilled future workforce.
Answer: Boeing sources over $1.25 billion annually from its network of more than 300 Indian supplier companies. This includes a significant number of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are integral to Boeing’s global supply chain.
Sources
Photo Credit: IADB
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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