In collaboration with Hosur-based aviation MRO provider Air Works, Boeing is simultaneously undertaking heavy maintenance checks on three Indian Navy P-8I long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft.
Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India, said, “The ongoing satisfactory execution of heavy maintenance checks on three P-8I platforms concurrently by Air Works is a remarkable achievement.”
D Anand Bhaskar, Managing Director & CEO, Air Works Group, said maintaining such mission-critical platforms reflects the “coming-of-age” or maturing of indigenous MRO capabilities in aviation, defence and aerospace, which can deliver huge advantages for the country. “The heavy maintenance checks on Indian Navy’s P-8I complement our vision of creating stronger and sustainable MRO capabilities, within the country,” he said.
Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub was launched last year, and the airframer’s strategic collaboration with Air Works was an important first step under this initiative. The BIRDS hub envisions a collaboration with key local companies and businesses to develop India into an aviation and defence repair and sustainment hub.
Boeing and Air Works began their partnership with the first Phase 32 checks for navy P-8I aircraft. This has since grown to include Phase 48 checks and MRO on the landing gear of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Boeing 737 VVIP aircraft.
Air Works also undertakes base maintenance for commercial aviation ATR 42/72, A320 and B737 fleet from its EASA and DGCA-certified facilities at Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur and Kochi.