RUAG keen to tap MRO market in S-E Asia

POTENTIAL: Swiss aviation firm opens centre to service growing number of military aircraft

SWISS aviation company RUAG Aviation is keen to tap the US$500 million (RM2.2 billion) aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market in Southeast Asia.

RUAG Aviation Malaysia Sdn Bhd (RAM) general manager David Jones said of the US$500 million, some US$160 million served as a potential market for the company as it opened a component repair centre, here, the first in the region.

The decision to open a service centre was based on Malaysia’s increasing number of military aircraft operated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) as well as the growing demand for fixed-wing and rotarywing airplanes in Southeast Asia, said Jones.

He said there were more than 400 civil helicopters and some 380 fixedwing aircraft in the region, which RAM was currently looking at.

“We are seeing very positive MRO growth in this region. By having a footprint in Malaysia, it shows that we are confident with the market,” said Jones after the official opening of the RUAG Aviation component

repair centre, here, yesterday.

RUAG’s service centre in Malaysia will provide MRO services for aircraft component, particularly turboprop and helicopters, to local customers as well as those in the region.

The company has worked with RMAF previously as it partnered with Airod Sdn Bhd to carry out an extensive upgrade on RMAF’s Falcon

900 aircraft last year.

RUAG is also an authorised service centre for original equipment manufacturers, such as Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Bombardier, Cirrus, Cessna, Diamond, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Leonardo-Finmeccanica (AgustaWestland), Piaggio, Sikorsky, Pilatus, Piper and Mooney.

Meanwhile, RUAG Switzerland Ltd director of marketing and communication,

Pirmin Berger, said its service centre in Malaysia was closely positioned near its customers in Southeast Asia.

“It gives them a much shorter turnaround time rather than sending the component to Europe,” he added.

Currently, RAM has 10 employees and it plans to add five technicians by the end of next year.

Pic by Asyraf Hamzah (From left) Switzerland ambassador to Malaysia Michael Winzap, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong and RUAG Aviation chief executive officer Philip Berner during the official opening of the RUAG Aviation component...