Air India Engineering Services (AIESL) has entered an agreement with Boeing to provide local MRO support for the Indian navy’s P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft.
The pact will see AIESL provide overhaul services for key components for the 12 aircraft in service with India’s navy, says Boeing.
AIESL has already conducted its first overhaul of P-8 landing gear.
“Through this partnership with AIESL, we continue to make strategic investments in India’s MRO capabilities that enhance mission readiness rates for the Indian navy,” says Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India and South Asia.
“Developing local MRO capabilities is critical for reducing repair turnaround time and aircraft downtime, thereby improving the mission readiness of customer fleets.”
The partnership between the two companies falls under the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) programme.
BIRDS comprises a series of local MRO companies and suppliers that support both commercial and military aircraft.
The P-8I is the Indian derivative of the US Navy’s P-8A. The Indian aircraft features several locally produced systems.
