Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. (GTA), a Malaysian engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider and Certified Maintenance Centre for Safran Helicopter Engines, has formalized strategic partnerships with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS), Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM), and Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (PERHEBAT). The agreements, exchanged on April 22, 2026, were witnessed by Malaysia's Minister of Defence, Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Haji Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus DS aims to evaluate opportunities to develop Malaysia's military aircraft MRO capabilities and assess GTA as a potential beneficiary of the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP). This initiative is designed to advance local aerospace self-reliance, facilitate knowledge and capability transfer, and enhance supply chain integration, subject to approvals. By deepening collaboration with Airbus DS, GTA seeks to position itself as a key player in the regional aerospace ecosystem, leveraging its existing expertise in engine support to expand into broader military aircraft maintenance.
A second MoU with UPNM focuses on strengthening industry-academia collaboration in research, innovation, and talent development. Areas of cooperation include joint research and development, training and postgraduate pathways, technical advisory services, workshops, and potential industry-on-campus initiatives. This partnership is expected to create a pipeline of skilled engineers and technicians tailored to the needs of the aerospace sector, addressing critical talent gaps identified by industry stakeholders.
Additionally, a Note of Understanding (NoU) with PERHEBAT supports the career transition of retiring Malaysian Armed Forces personnel and veterans by providing industrial training, workplace exposure, and potential employment opportunities. The collaboration includes job-skills alignment, programme monitoring, and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing the employability and well-being of Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM). This aligns with national efforts to leverage the skills of former military personnel in the civilian aerospace industry.
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, “Together, these partnerships reflect our commitment to building a stronger, more resilient and future-ready platform for the industry.”
The agreements are particularly significant given Malaysia's ambitions to become a regional aerospace hub. By combining Airbus DS's global expertise, UPNM's academic resources, and PERHEBAT's veteran network, GTA is positioning itself at the centre of a multi-pronged strategy to upgrade local MRO capabilities, foster innovation, and cultivate a skilled workforce. The partnerships also underscore the importance of public-private collaboration in achieving national defence and aerospace objectives. For more information about GTA, visit https://globalturbineasia.com/.
