Boeing and Air India Subsidiary AIESL Collaborate for Repair and Overhaul of Key Indian Defence Platforms

Image - www.aiesl.in

• Collaboration planned under the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) initiative to build India as a regional MRO hub
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of Boeing 777 VIP aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force and P-8I aircraft fleet operated by the Indian Navy
• Additionally exploring collaboration in repair and overhaul of landing gear and other commercial common 737NG equipment fitted on the P-8I fleet

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced an effort to explore opportunities with Air India Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL), a wholly owned Subsidiary of Air India, for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of critical equipment on key Boeing defence platforms in India, including the P-8I operated by the Indian Navy and the 777 VIP aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force. The collaboration was announced at the Boeing India Aatmanirbharta in Defence conference organized in New Delhi on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, with participation from dignitaries from the Indian Navy, AIESL, and other key supplier-partners.

"Our planned collaboration with AIESL could position us to provide significant value-add to our defence customers locally by enabling faster turnaround, exceptional operational capability and mission readiness for the Indian armed forces. This is also an important step as part of our commitment to the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision of making India a regional MRO hub," said Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India.

Photo (L to R) Rajiv Kumar, Head of Marketing, DGM, AI Engineering Services Ltd, RAdm Deepak Bansal, VSM, ACNS (Air Materiel), Indian Navy, Sharad

This collaboration would support the Indian Navy’s growing P-8I fleet, building up the local aviation ecosystem, while ensuring quicker turnarounds for the Indian Navy. It would also help build indigenous MRO capabilities as it would bring the P-8I landing gear repair and overhaul work to India for the first time.

“Such collaboration would drive forward our vision for strengthening MRO capabilities in India, for India. We remain excited and committed as we provide critical support to India’s armed forces as part of the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub initiative,” said Sharad Agrawal, CEO, AI Engineering Services Ltd.

Boeing India’s collaboration with AIESL would provide further impetus to the BIRDS hub initiative, an in-country network and alliance of suppliers led by Boeing in India that envisions a competitive MRO ecosystem for engineering, maintenance, skilling, repair and sustainment services of defence and commercial aircraft. The hub has been growing capabilities in India in the areas of heavy maintenance, component repairs, training and skilling of MRO maintainers.

An important aspect of BIRDS is training programs to increase skilled manpower by developing sub-tier suppliers and medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) to build high quality MRO capabilities in India.

About AI Engineering Services Limited

AI Engineering Services Ltd. is a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved MRO set up in India that serves as a one-stop-shop for all engineering requirements at major airports with a pan-India footprint. Prior to Air India divestment, the company was transferred to a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), AI Assets Holdings Ltd., formed by the Government of India.

With a great skill set, huge professional experience and MRO infrastructure located at all the major metros, AIESL manages and maintains Airbus, Boeing and ATRs fleets belonging to various national as well as international airlines with Technical Dispatch Reliability of more than 99%.

AIESL facilities includes hangar facility, line and base maintenance, engine overhaul, avionics accessories shops and components shops, structural repairs including composite repair, cabin and seat repair facility, landing gear, engineering support service and many specialized services. Its dedicated support team for AOG requests provides highly coordinated troubleshooting and engineering support round the clock. For more details, visit: https://www.aiesl.in.

About Boeing India

Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

Boeing’s advanced aircraft and services focus plays an important role in mission-readiness for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. Boeing is focused on delivering value to Indian customers with advanced technologies and remains committed to creating sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector – developing local suppliers, and shaping academic and research collaborations with Indian institutions. 

Boeing has strengthened its supply chain with more than 275 local companies in India and a joint venture to manufacture fuselages for Apache helicopters. Annual sourcing from India stands at $1 billion. Boeing currently employs close to 4,000 people in India, and more than 7,000 people work with its supply chain partners. Boeing serves communities and citizenship programs to inspire change and make an impact on more than 500,000 lives in India. For more information, visit www.boeing.co.in.

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