Abu Dhabi’s Sanad, Indonesia’s GMF to establish MRO centre for aircraft engines

Mubadala subsidiary Sanad, a global industrial services company specialising in aerospace, has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia’s GMF, the country’s largest aircraft maintenance company, at the UAE Business Forum, which took place on the sidelines of the B20 Summit 2022 in Bali.

The MoU will see Sanad and GMF jointly establish a new state-of-the-art maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) centre of excellence for aircraft engines.

This is part of Sanad’s ongoing global expansion strategy to create an international network of aeroengine MRO centres.

The new centre will leverage the region’s growing demand for aircraft engine MRO services that are being driven by strong air traffic and cargo volumes. It will contribute to the new UAE-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which aims to expand the nations’ annual bilateral trade from approximately $3bn in 2021 to $10bn by 2026.

Ahead of the establishment of the new centre, the two entities will collaborate to build MRO capabilities dedicated to CFM engines at GMF’s existing facility in Jakarta. These engines are one of the world’s most widely used aircraft engines, including the LEAP engine that powers next-generation aircraft such as Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737 MAX and the COMAC C919 aircraft families.

The alliance will also benefit from advanced repair capabilities that shall be provided by Sanad from its facility in Abu Dhabi.

“This milestone partnership accelerates our geographic expansion and our strategy to facilitate premium engine maintenance services in major growth markets through a robust global network of world-class engine MRO centers,” said Mansoor Janahi, CEO of Sanad Group.

 “As a UAE-based industrial services champion and partner of choice to major engine OEMs and airlines, Sanad is well-known for its excellence and focus on unlocking future growth opportunities,” added Janahi.

Andi Fahrurrozi, CEO of GMF, commented: “This landmark partnership significantly enhances cooperation between two of the largest engine MRO companies in the Middle East and Indonesia. Representing a unique global cooperation model, the partnership is based on several key principles, including the exchange of knowledge and expertise, training, improving the quality of customer solutions and services, driving growth, and enhancing our offering for industrial players across Asia Pacific region.”