MRO & Manufacturing
AXISCADES and OGMA Partner to Expand Aerospace MRO in India and MENA
AXISCADES partners with Embraer subsidiary OGMA to enhance aerospace MRO services and develop a major hub near Bengaluru by 2027.
This article is based on an official press release from AXISCADES Technologies Limited and verified market research.
AXISCADES Technologies Limited has announced a strategic partnership with OGMA-Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal, S.A., a subsidiary of Embraer, to provide comprehensive Aerospace Manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. The agreement marks a significant expansion for the Indian engineering solutions provider as it moves to capture a larger share of the aerospace value chain in India, the UAE, and the MENA region.
According to the company’s announcement, the collaboration will focus on supporting Embraer fleets as well as aircraft from other major manufacturers. By leveraging OGMA’s certifications and technical heritage, AXISCADES aims to establish indigenous capabilities for airframe engineering, engine maintenance, and certification services that have historically been outsourced to foreign facilities.
The partnership is designed to merge AXISCADES’ established expertise in avionics, system integration, and digital engineering with OGMA’s century-long experience in heavy maintenance and aerostructures. OGMA, which is 65% owned by Embraer and 35% by the Portuguese government, brings critical certifications from global aviation authorities including EASA and the FAA.
The agreement targets three primary geographic markets: India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Within India, the collaboration will specifically address the maintenance needs of the existing Embraer fleet. This includes commercial aircraft operated by regional carriers such as Star Air, as well as critical defense platforms used by the Indian Air Force (IAF), such as the “Netra” Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems and VVIP transport jets.
Beyond the Embraer ecosystem, the alliance intends to service platforms from other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). OGMA holds authorized maintenance center status for several key industry players, including Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. This multi-OEM capability is expected to allow AXISCADES to bid for broader maintenance contracts involving engines and airframes widely used by Indian commercial carriers.
To support these new capabilities, AXISCADES is currently developing a large-scale integrated Aerospace and Defence manufacturing and MRO hub. Located near the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, the facility is positioned to become one of India’s largest independent MRO centers.
According to details released by the company, the new infrastructure will feature: Industry data indicates that full-scale operations at this facility, often referred to in planning documents as the Atmanirbhar Defence Centre, are projected to commence by 2027. The hub aims to reduce the reliance of Indian operators on foreign MROs, a market gap where approximately 80% of India’s $1.85 billion MRO demand is currently serviced abroad.
Both companies have framed the partnership as a critical step toward building self-reliant aerospace ecosystems in India. Alfonso Martinez, CEO-International at AXISCADES, emphasized the strategic shift toward high-value services.
“This MoU with OGMA is a significant step in AXISCADES’ journey to build world-class aerospace and defence MRO and engineering capabilities. By combining OGMA’s deep expertise in airframe and engine MRO with our strong engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure roadmap, we aim to create a robust ecosystem that addresses global market opportunities in high-growth regions such as India, the UAE and MENA, while supporting India’s self-reliance objectives.”
, Alfonso Martinez, CEO-International, AXISCADES Technologies Ltd
Paulo Monginho, CEO of OGMA, highlighted the opportunity to extend the Portuguese company’s reach into the rapidly growing Indian aviation sector.
“We are pleased to partner with AXISCADES, a company that brings strong and proven capabilities along with a clear vision for aerospace and defence growth. This collaboration allows us to expand our footprint while jointly delivering high-quality, certified MRO and engineering solutions to India & Global Customers.”
, Paulo Monginho, CEO, OGMA
This partnership represents a pivotal transition for AXISCADES from a pure-play engineering services provider to a tangible asset-heavy player in the aerospace supply chain. By partnering with an OEM subsidiary like OGMA, AXISCADES bypasses the decades-long learning curve typically required to achieve certification for heavy maintenance and engine overhaul.
The timing aligns with broader geopolitical and economic trends. The “China Plus One” strategy is driving global OEMs to diversify their supply chains, while the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative is pressuring defense and civil operators to localize maintenance spending. With the Indian MRO market projected to grow to nearly $6 billion by the early 2030s, the ability to service Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce engines domestically could position AXISCADES to capture revenue that currently flows to Singapore or Europe.
However, execution will depend heavily on the timely completion of the Bengaluru facility. While the strategic intent is clear, the physical infrastructure required to handle heavy checks and engine overhauls is capital-intensive and subject to regulatory complexities. If successful, this venture could serve as a model for how Indian engineering firms can leverage European technical partnerships to build sovereign defense capabilities.
AXISCADES Partners with Embraer Subsidiary OGMA to Expand MRO Capabilities in India and MENA
Strategic Scope and Market Focus
Infrastructure Development: The Bengaluru Hub
Leadership Perspectives
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: AXISCADES