Global aerospace manufacturer and aftermarket provider Ontic officially opened a 72,000-square-foot Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, on October 2, 2026. The site consolidates the company’s United Kingdom aftermarket operations into a single hub designed to support established aircraft fleets.

The opening represents a major milestone in a $30 million global investment strategy aimed at expanding Ontic’s MRO capacity, according to a company press release. The Tewkesbury site brings together 200 specialists, including engineers, technicians, and supply chain personnel, to provide lifetime repair and maintenance support for thousands of licensed product lines.

Expanding global aftermarket infrastructure

The Tewkesbury facility is equipped with dedicated IT systems and specialized infrastructure to handle complex aerospace repairs. Capabilities at the site include pneumatic and hydraulic testing, an ISO7 clean room avionics workshop, non-destructive testing (NDT), a machine shop, and a dark room.

In December 2025, the facility passed critical audits to achieve BSI AS9100 certification. It also secured Part 145 approvals from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Ontic expects to receive additional approvals from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in early Q4 2026.

“The opening of our Tewkesbury MRO facility marks a step-change in how we support our customers. By consolidating all our UK aftermarket expertise in one dedicated site, we are investing in the people, capability and infrastructure to consistently deliver a faster, more responsive and more transparent service. Alongside our new Miramar facility in the US, this is a significant milestone in our commitment to keeping established fleets flying safely for decades to come.”

The statement was provided by Brian Sartain, Chief Operating Officer of Ontic. Dave Mayne, MRO Director for Europe, added that the rapid launch of the site was driven by a focus on delivering immediate benefits to customers across product, people, and process decisions.

A broader strategy of acquisitions and capacity growth

The Tewkesbury opening follows a series of strategic expansions by Ontic to capture a larger share of the aerospace aftermarket. As major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) focus resources on new technologies and platforms, Ontic acts as a licensing partner, taking on responsibility for legacy and non-core product lines. By holding proprietary data, tooling, and test equipment, the company performs repairs to original OEM standards, offering obsolescence management and reducing operators’ total cost of ownership.

The $30 million global investment strategy previously funded the opening of a 64,000-square-foot MRO Center of Excellence in Miramar, Florida, in November 2025. To complement its MRO operations, Ontic signed a long-term lease in June 2026 for a 100,000-square-foot original equipment manufacturing facility in nearby Weston, Florida, with operations expected to begin in 2027.

The company has also pursued growth through acquisitions. On October 1, 2026, Ontic acquired Wichita-based Aero-Mach Companies, adding three aviation brands to its portfolio and further expanding its US footprint. Backed by CVC Capital Partners, Ontic now employs more than 1,700 people across 10 global sites in the US, UK, and Singapore.

Bharat Forge Ltd. and Pratt & Whitney Canada have finalized a long-term agreement for the supply of critical aerospace engine components, anchored by the construction of a new advanced ring mill in Baramati, Maharashtra.

Announced in a joint press release on August 1, 2025, the facility is expected to become operational in 2026. The agreement represents a significant expansion of India‘s domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supports Pratt & Whitney’s strategy to build a resilient global supply chain.

Expanding the aerospace supply chain in India

The new Baramati facility will focus on processing specialty alloys required for high-stress aerospace forging applications. The ring mill is designed to support both domestic and international aerospace programs, supplying components directly to Pratt & Whitney Canada, a business unit of RTX.

Amit Kalyani, Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd., stated that the new facility marks a significant step in advancing India’s manufacturing capabilities in high-value aerospace components.

“We are excited to deepen our strategic relationship with Pratt & Whitney Canada through the establishment of this new ring mill. It not only reinforces our commitment to the global aerospace ecosystem but also marks a significant step in advancing India’s manufacturing capabilities in high-value aerospace components.”

Pratt & Whitney has maintained a presence in India for more than seven decades and currently employs more than 800 people in the country. Frederic Lefebvre, Vice President of Supply Chain at Pratt & Whitney Canada, noted that the agreement underscores the manufacturer’s commitment to building a resilient global supply chain and advancing the local aerospace ecosystem.

Transitioning to advanced aerospace manufacturing

Headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, Bharat Forge is the flagship company of the Kalyani Group, which was founded in 1961. Historically recognized as a global provider of steel forgings and machined components for the automotive, railway, and energy sectors, the company has actively transitioned toward advanced aerospace and defense systems manufacturing.

The establishment of the dedicated aerospace ring mill aligns with the Indian government’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which translates to a self-reliant India. The policy aims to boost indigenous manufacturing and defense capabilities, reducing reliance on imported components and systems.

As global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seek to diversify their supply chains, India has positioned itself as a primary destination for aerospace and defense manufacturing investment. The Baramati facility will allow Bharat Forge to process complex materials required for modern turbine engines, moving the company up the value chain from traditional forging operations into specialized aerospace metallurgy.

Recent developments in unmanned aerial systems

Following the August 2025 ring mill announcement, the two companies expanded their relationship the following year. On September 15, 2026, Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Canada announced a collaboration to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into India’s High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program.

The HALE UAV is currently being designed and developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Under the terms of the September 2026 agreement, Bharat Forge will lead the engine-airframe integration process. Pratt & Whitney Canada will be responsible for evaluating engine compatibility and overall performance metrics for the platform.

AirPro News analysis

We view the rapid progression of the Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Canada partnership as a clear indicator of shifting global aerospace supply chain dynamics. The initial August 2025 agreement for the Baramati ring mill established a foundation for high-value component manufacturing. The September 2026 expansion into engine-airframe integration for the DRDO HALE UAV program demonstrates a much faster maturation curve.

Global OEMs are actively working to eliminate single points of failure in their supply networks. By moving beyond basic component supply and into complex systems integration within a 13-month window, Bharat Forge is proving that India’s domestic defense sector can absorb and execute advanced aerospace engineering tasks. This transition supports the broader strategic goals of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative while providing Western engine manufacturers with a capable, scalable industrial base outside of traditional North American and European hubs.

GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) has secured a finance agreement exceeding €125 million with a consortium of European financial institutions to fund the acquisition of factory-new Airbus H160 and H175 helicopters.

The transaction provides substantial capital backing for the Dublin-based lessor to continue its aggressive fleet expansion. In a press release issued on October 1, 2026, GDHF confirmed the facility is supported by Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen (Helaba), Bayerische Landesbank (BayernLB), and Bpifrance Assurance Export.

Capitalizing the Airbus order book

The newly announced €125 million facility is specifically earmarked for Airbus products scheduled for delivery throughout 2026 and 2027. GDHF has already drawn on the new finance facility, utilizing it in September 2026 to complete the purchase of an initial Airbus H160.

Legal counsel for the transaction included Watson Farley & Williams and Norton Rose Fulbright.

Michael York, Chief Executive Officer of GDHF, stated that the partnership with the European banking consortium enables the company to execute its delivery pipeline.

“The loan will further enhance GDHF’s ability to regularly purchase factory new, cost-effective, multi-mission helicopters that meet or exceed the needs of our global customer base. GDHF sees this finance agreement as a strong endorsement of the strength of the helicopter industry and a validation of GDHF’s growth and maturity as a trusted provider of new technology helicopter solutions for the global market.”

The lenders involved are established players in European asset and infrastructure financing. Jörg Schirrmacher, Head of Project Finance International and Asset Finance at Helaba, described the transaction as an important step in building out the bank’s helicopter finance franchise. Oliver Geldner, Head of Sector Aviation & Space at BayernLB, echoed the sentiment, noting the deal marks another milestone in expanding BayernLB’s own helicopter finance platform.

Parallel financing for Leonardo AW189 deliveries

Beyond the Airbus facility, the October 1 announcement outlined further financial commitments from the German banking partners. Helaba and BayernLB have committed to financing multiple new Leonardo AW189 helicopters for GDHF.

These AW189 aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2027. This aligns with a framework agreement GDHF signed with Leonardo in November 2024, which covered the supply of 10 AW189 offshore helicopters with deliveries planned between 2027 and 2029.

Rapid expansion in the offshore leasing sector

Founded in Dublin in 2024, GDHF entered the helicopter leasing market with a massive initial order book. The company launched with commitments for 50 Airbus H160s and subsequently secured a contract in April 2024 for up to 20 Airbus H175 helicopters, comprising 10 firm orders and 10 options.

The lessor has focused heavily on new-technology, multi-mission helicopters in the medium and super-medium classes. These aircraft are currently seeing high demand from the offshore oil and gas sector, wind energy operators, and search and rescue (SAR) providers looking to replace older generation rotorcraft with more efficient airframes.

GDHF has already begun placing its aircraft with major global operators. In March 2025, the company delivered two Leonardo AW189 helicopters on lease to Omni Helicopters International Group (OHI) for operations in Latin America.

In early 2026, GDHF made an unconventional strategic move for a leasing company by moving to acquire the Belgian helicopter operator NHV Group, vertically integrating its leasing portfolio with an established offshore and SAR operator.

AirPro News analysis

Securing over €125 million from established aviation lenders like Helaba and BayernLB signals strong institutional confidence in both GDHF’s business model and the broader offshore rotorcraft market. The helicopter leasing sector is currently experiencing a capacity crunch, driven by a resurgence in offshore energy exploration and the pressing need to retire legacy airframes. By locking in financing for its near-term Airbus and Leonardo deliveries, GDHF ensures it can execute on its substantial order book without liquidity bottlenecks.

The willingness of export credit agencies like Bpifrance to participate underscores the strategic importance of these manufacturing programs to the European aerospace sector. Furthermore, the participation of major commercial banks indicates a maturing of the helicopter leasing market, which has historically relied on a smaller pool of specialized lenders compared to fixed-wing commercial aviation.