Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. (GTA), a Malaysian engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider and a Certified Maintenance Centre for Safran Helicopter Engines, has exchanged two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), as well as a Note of Understanding (NoU) with Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (PERHEBAT). The signings were witnessed by Malaysia's Minister of Defence, Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, highlighting the strategic importance of these partnerships for the nation's aerospace and defence ecosystem.
The MoU with Airbus DS focuses on evaluating opportunities to develop Malaysia's military aircraft MRO capabilities and assessing GTA as a potential beneficiary of the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP). This initiative aims to advance local aerospace self-reliance, facilitate knowledge and capability transfer, and integrate supply chains. If approved, the partnership could significantly strengthen Malaysia's position in the regional aerospace sector by building indigenous MRO expertise and reducing reliance on foreign maintenance providers.
GTA's collaboration with UPNM is designed to strengthen industry-academia ties through joint research and development, training, postgraduate pathways, technical advisory services, and the establishment of workshops and centres of expertise. This MoU underscores the importance of cultivating local talent to support the growing aerospace industry, ensuring a pipeline of skilled professionals for future demands. The partnership may also include industry-on-campus initiatives, subject to separate agreements, fostering a closer link between academic theory and practical application.
In a move to support retiring Malaysian Armed Forces personnel, GTA signed an NoU with PERHEBAT to provide industrial training, workplace exposure, and potential employment opportunities. This collaboration aims to align job skills with industry needs, monitor programme effectiveness, and enhance the employability and well-being of veterans. By leveraging their disciplined background and technical skills, the initiative helps address both veteran welfare and the industry's demand for experienced workers.
Dato' Nonee Ashirin Dato Mohd Radzi, Executive Chairman of Global Turbine Asia, stated, "These MoUs mark an important step in strengthening GTA's role within the aerospace and defence ecosystem, not only as an engine support and MRO provider, but also as a long-term partner in capability development, talent cultivation and strategic collaboration." She added that the partnerships reflect GTA's commitment to building a stronger, more resilient platform for the industry.
These agreements come at a time when the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing growth in aerospace and defence sectors, with increasing demand for MRO services and skilled personnel. By forging strategic alliances, GTA positions itself to capitalize on these trends while contributing to national objectives of self-reliance and veteran support. For more information, visit https://globalturbineasia.com/.
