Boeing and Air Works are currently undertaking heavy maintenance checks on three P-8I long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft operated by the Indian Navy (IN) simultaneously at Air Works, Hosur. This dramatically increases the scope and scale of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) undertaken in the country and demonstrates both the companies’ commitment in helping make India Aatmanirbhar in aerospace and defence. Surendra Ahuja, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India, stated, “We are proud to build on our existing collaboration with Air Works that enables us to generate significant value for our defence customers in India, and contribute towards the Government’s vision of making India an MRO hub for the region. The ongoing satisfactory execution of heavy maintenance checks on three P-8I platforms concurrently by Air Works is a remarkable achievement.” Boeing’s strategic collaboration with Air Works was an important first step under the Boeing India Repair Development and Sustainment (BIRDS) hub launched last year. The BIRDS hub envisions a collaboration with key local companies and businesses to develop India into an aviation and defence repair and sustainment hub. “The heavy maintenance checks on Indian Navy’s P-8I complement our vision of creating stronger and sustainable MRO capabilities, within the country. Maintaining such mission-critical platforms for the nation’s defence forces is a matter of immense pride for Air Works. At the same time, it also reflects the “coming-of-age” or maturing of indigenous MRO capabilities in aviation, defence and aerospace, which can deliver huge advantages for the country. We thank Boeing for their trust in us and look forward to expanding our strategic partnership to eventually deliver operational excellence on other critical platforms of our defence forces to their complete satisfaction,” stated D. Anand Bhaskar, Managing Director & CEO, Air Works Group. The Boeing and Air Works collaboration has already been enabling faster turnarounds and enhanced operational capability within the country for the country’s key defence platforms. The partnership began with the first P-8I aircraft Phase 32 checks, and has grown to include Phase 48 checks and MRO on the landing gear of the Indian Air Force’s 737 VVIP aircraft. Established in 1951, Air Works Group is India’s biggest and highly diversified independent MRO with the largest pan- India network presence across 27 cities. It is the preferred MRO partner to global aviation OEMs, aircraft owners/operators (including fixed wing and rotary wing), lessors, airlines and the Indian Defence Services, offering a host of services including MRO and heavy checks, line maintenance, cabin and interior refurbishment, exterior finishing and painting, avionics upgrades, integrations and retrofits, end-of-lease/ redelivery checks, maintenance training (CAR 147), and asset management services to domestic and international clients. Specialised set of services for avionics, component repairs and asset management services are offered via the Group’s partner companies – SA Air Works and Acumen Aviation. Air Works undertakes base maintenance for ATR 42/72, A320 and B737 fleet of aircraft from its EASA and DGCA-certified facilities at Mumbai, Delhi, Hosur and Kochi, supported by duly certified in-house shops for related tasks. The Company also undertakes modification and assembly of rotary-wing aircraft and is an Authorized Service Centre (ASC) for Bell and Leonardo helicopters. Boeing’s advanced aircraft and services focus plays an important role in missionreadiness for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. Boeing is “focused on delivering value to Indian customers with advanced technologies and remains committed to creating sustainable value in the Indian aerospace sector – developing local suppliers, and shaping academic and research collaborations with Indian institutions”. Boeing has strengthened its supply chain with more than 275 local companies in India and a joint venture to manufacture fuselages for Apache helicopters. Annual sourcing from India stands at $1 billion. Boeing currently employs close to 4,000 people in India, and more than 7,000 people work with its supply chain partners.