French MRO Sabena Technics has grown its presence in the military aftermarket with the acquisition of airframe maintenance specialist AeroTech Pro.
With hangar locations in Aix-en-Provence, around 20 miles north of Marseille and Istres some 40 miles west of the southern France city, AeroTech Pro primarily operates in the military field. Its technical services include line maintenance, base maintenance, engine inspection, logistics management and CAMO services on aircraft such as the Airbus A400M and A330 MRTT.
Its Istres site at the military air base is home to a 107,600 sq. ft. facility and will further bolster Sabena Technics’ military output, which the company estimates at 130 aircraft under global support programs with an offering of 25 capabilities.
“Through this acquisition, we are valuing the know-how of an agile and responsive French SME with real knowledge of military operators’ needs,” Philippe Rochet, CEO of Sabena Technics, said in a statement released by the company on Nov. 3. “This operation not only marks a new step in our external growth strategy but also ensures the sustainability of AeroTech Pro's activities.”
Before this acquisition, Sabena Technics estimated its commercial and military aftermarket work to be a 50-50 split across its network, which consists of 15 sites worldwide.
To accommodate a mix of military and commercial demand, the company opened a new 108,000 sq. ft. hangar in Bordeuax in January. The sixth facility at Bordeaux's Merignac Airport was financed to the tune of €25 million ($27.7 million).
The hangar has airframe maintenance and modification capacity for larger aircraft types, such as the Airbus A350-1000 and Boeing 777-9X passenger aircraft, and up to three military transport aircraft, such as the A400M, simultaneously.
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