- Aeromart Hyderabad to brainstorm the MRO industries challenges & opportunities
By Sangeeta Saxena
Hyderabad. 30 June 2024. “India and France have entered the second phase of their strategic journey to enhance collaboration in the defence and aerospace sectors. This is the 26th year of steering the defence industrial partnership roadmap and the MRO Industry is an important part of this relationship. Indo-French MRO industry development and collaborative efforts are on the stride with the roads of co-development, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat creating a need for the next activity which is maintenance, repair and overhaul of airframe, components and engine. It will also extend the need of MRO to avionics,” explained Bharat Malkani, CMD Max Aerospace to Editor Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) in a conversation on the eve of the Indo-French aerospace event Aeromart Hyderabad 2024.
For a man who dons many hats, Bharat Malkani who is also the President MRO Association of India exhorted, “ These developments will be justified when the indigenous MRO industry gets its place in the larger scheme of things. So an equal opportunity platform for the MRO industries of both the countries needs to be created and OEMs need to also identify MROs as their partners in the job of keeping air assets air worthy. The Indo-French partnership should aim to foster mutual understanding through joint ventures and collaborations as a whole and MRO industry in specific.”
The aviation flight of the two nations, which began with the licensing arrangement between Aérospatiale and Indian aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL),is still going strong. The Alouette III has been built under licence by HAL in India. More than 300 rotorcraft have been produced to date, going by the local name HAL Chetak. The relationship continued with Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama the French single-engined helicopter which have been built under licence by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India, known as the Cheetah. HAL later developed an upgraded variant, powered by the Turbomeca TM 333-2M2 engine, which is known as the Cheetal. An armed version, marketed as the Lancer, was also produced by HAL.
The story of the the Indo-French aerospace ties continued when in 1982, the country placed an order with Dassault for 36 single-seat Mirage 2000Hs and four twin-seat Mirage 2000THs (with H standing for “Hindustan”) with the possibility of a follow-on purchase of nine aircraft (eight single- and one twin-seater aircraft) as war, maintenance and attrition reserve. The purchase of 150 aircraft ,could well have paved the way for joint production with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, but the number of aircraft ordered was 40+9 which was too small for such an arrangement. And ofcourse the Rafale which after of lot slips between the cup and the lip was signed by the then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian for a €7.8 billion contract for 36 fly-away Rafales with an option for 18 more. The deal included spares and weapons such as MBDA missiles. The path traversed by the two nations has seen strong footprints, despite of not being smooth with many bumpy rides.
Bharat reiterated , “ Tata-Airbus C-295 manufacturing under the strategic partnership model is a notable stride towards self-reliance and technological autonomy. The next is the recent decision by Tata and Airbus Helicopters to produce of H125 choppers. The emphasis on indigenous components highlights the commitment to self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing. Thales has announced plans to establish an avionics Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) facility in Delhi. This relationship will become stronger only when Indian Defence MROs continue to and become partners to the French OEMs in their journey of maintaining the French legacy, existing and future military aviation assets.”
For the CMD Max MRO Services Bharat Malkani which is a joint venture with Air France Industries KLM, the mission is to provide exceptional maintenance, repair, and overhaul solutions to optimize the operational efficiency and productivity for their partner customers. “We are dedicated to delivering innovative and reliable services, leveraging our expertise, technology, and industry-leading practices. To always give the best value to our customers without any compromise of quality. To continuously innovate, create, and develop cutting edge technologies to achieve this value,” he added. And this got me initiated into a long conversation on adapting Artificial Intelligence (AI) with him.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an important technology which has made its inroads in the aviation industry, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) companies in India. We have AI-driven predictive analytics which can optimize MRO operations by predicting component failures, identifying maintenance needs and inventory management.
MRO providers can use AI algorithms to predict when specific parts or components need replacement, reducing downtime and improving efficiency. Generative AI has revolutionized MRO processes. Virtual AI maintenance and repair experts (often referred to as “copilots”) can assist technicians on the shop floor, in hangars, and at line maintenance stations. These AI systems can research and troubleshoot problems, improving efficiency and accuracy. AI can enhance supply chain management by optimizing inventory, reducing stock-related costs, and improving parts availability. MRO companies can use AI algorithms to streamline procurement, reduce lead times, and manage material costs more effectively. Max Aerospace has begun the journey of using AI and planning to revolutionize its use in MRO. We are investing in creating the correct platform for AI induced workshare with our teams and will lead from the forefront in implementation of these technologies,” he informed with enthusiasm.
Passionate about his baby Max MRO Bharat Malkani stated , “ At Max MRO, we stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the aerospace sector. We continuously invest in the latest tools, equipment, and software to ensure that our solutions are built using the most advanced technology available. Our state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure enable us to deliver innovative and high-performance aerospace products. We offer a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our clients. From design and engineering to manufacturing and maintenance, we provide end-to-end solutions that cover the entire lifecycle of aerospace products. Our integrated approach ensures seamless coordination and enhances efficiency throughout the process.”
He continued strongly with the sentiment, “Quality is at the core of everything we do. We adhere to stringent quality control measures and follow industry best practices to deliver products that meet or exceed the highest standards. Our commitment to quality is further reinforced by our compliance with relevant regulations and certifications, ensuring that our solutions are safe, reliable, and compliant with industry requirements. We prioritize our clients and believe in forging strong, long-lasting partnerships. We take the 
time to understand their unique needs, challenges, and goals, and then tailor our solutions accordingly. Team Max MRO provides personalized attention, timely communication, and excellent customer support throughout the engagement to ensure customer satisfaction. And above all we understand the importance of timeline and targets. We understand the importance of delivering projects on time and within budget. Our efficient project management methodologies, streamlined processes, and robust supply chain enable us to meet deadlines without compromising on quality. We also strive to provide cost-effective solutions, maximizing value for our clients.”
Pilots and fans of aeroplanes, take note! Have you ever wondered how those amazing flying vehicles are prepared for takeoff? In the aviation industry, maintenance, repair, and overhaul, or MRO, plays a crucial role. Imagine planes flying all over the sky, transporting people and goods to distant locations. Airline MRO facilities put forth a great deal of effort behind the scenes to guarantee the airworthiness, safety, and dependability of these amazing aircraft. It includes everything from standard upkeep and preemptive inspections to more involved fixes and significant overhauls of the landing gear, engines, avionics, airframes, and other aircraft components. Maintaining aircraft in airworthy condition, adhering to regulations, and extending their operating lifespan are the objectives of aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). It can be less glamorous than airlines but is the most important industry in the aviation sector and it’s role of keeping human life safe in the skies needs to be lauded always and applauded after every safe landing.
