FIRST EVER INTERNATIONAL JV IN INDIA FOR AIRCRAFT ENGINE REPAIR AND OVERHAUL

Snecma (Safran) And Max Aerospace Sign Landmark Joint Venture Agreement To Develop In-Country Engine Support And Repair Facilities

Bangalore: Snecma (Safran), the global leader in manufacturing aircraft engines and Max Aerospace, India's leading Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) firm, have recently announced the formation of a joint venture – Maxaero Aircraft Engines Private Limited (MAEPL), to establish in-country support and repair facilities for aircraft engines. This is the first private sector aircraft engine capability established in India in the wake of the 'Make in India' policy of the Indian Government.

MAEPL shall commence operations during second quarter of 2015 by initially supporting M53 engine fitted on the Mirage 2000 (Vajra) aircraft, which is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The company’s new engine repair facility in India is expected to come into operations by end of 2016.

This JV will also address the requirements of the civil aviation sector for supporting the CFM56 engine (developed and produced by CFM International, a 50-50 joint company between Snecma and GE). With over 400 CFM56 engines already in India there is an acute need to provide in-country support services for these engines. Furthermore, the number of engines is expected to double, in line with the anticipated growth of Indian aviation in the coming decade.

Initially, MAEPL will provide proximity support to the operators of the CFM56 engines.

MAEPL Chairman Mr. Bharat Malkani says, "This is a great day for Indian aviation and we see this partnership as further vindication of our faith in the emerging opportunities and future growth of the Indian aviation sector. We are confident that this JV will bring support and repair capabilities for complex aircraft engine technologies to our doorstep."

About Max Aerospace and Aviation Pvt. Ltd.: India's leading Private sector Aviation and Aerospace Engineering Company was established in 1994, MaxAero offers MRO, Aviation Engineering manufacturing, and support services to the Indian Ministry of Defense as well as major International OEM's.