French MRO provider Sabena Technics has acquired military aircraft support specialist AeroTech Pro to strengthen in the defence arena.
Based in Aix-en-Provence, AeroTech Pro delivers “high added-value services”, including technical assistance and own MRO operations, to military operators in France and abroad, Sabena Technics says.
It notes that AeroTech Pro’s MRO activity includes airframe maintenance in a hangar at Istres air base near Marseille, and that the company has built up “recognised technical expertise” for the support of Airbus A400M and A330 MRTT transports. Both types are operated by the French air force.
Sabena Technics chief executive Philippe Rochet describes AeroTech Pro as an “agile and responsive” company with “real knowledge of military operators’ needs”.
The acquisition “not only marks a new step in our external growth strategy, but also ensures the sustainability of AeroTech Pro’s activities”, Rochet states.
“Thanks to the recognised technical expertise of AeroTech Pro on A400M and A330 MRTT, Sabena Technics will develop its service offering and strengthen its position on these two Airbus military aircraft. This makes us the only private industrial company with infrastructures and human resources in France able to ensure their industrial support,” he adds.
Sabena Technics has supported aircraft for the French armed forces and civil security bodies for years, alongside its commercial MRO operations across a wide range of mainline and regional aircraft.
The company is an Airbus partner for aircraft painting and maintenance services. Rochet suggests that Sabena Technics intends to “accompany” the airframer in providing operational and maintenance support to international A400M and A330 MRTT operators.
France’s government has selected Sabena Technics to support some of the country’s A330 MRTT transports.
