Global Turbine Asia Sdn. Bhd. (GTA), a Malaysian-based engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and a Note of Understanding (NoU) to bolster the country's aerospace and defence ecosystem. 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 MoU with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) focuses on evaluating opportunities to develop Malaysia's military aircraft MRO capabilities. It also assesses GTA as a potential beneficiary of the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), which aims to advance local aerospace self-reliance, facilitate knowledge and capability transfer, and supply chain integration, pending approvals. This partnership is expected to strengthen cross-border commercial cooperation and align with evolving regional industry needs.
Another MoU was signed with Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in research, innovation, talent development, and technical services. Areas of cooperation may include joint R&D, training and postgraduate pathways, technical advisory services, workshops, and centres of expertise, as well as potential industry-on-campus initiatives, subject to approvals and separate agreements where required.
The NoU with Perbadanan Hal Ehwal Bekas Angkatan Tentera (PERHEBAT) supports the career transition of retiring Malaysian Armed Forces personnel and veterans. It provides industrial training, workplace exposure, and potential employment opportunities, including job-skills alignment, programme monitoring, and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing the employability and well-being of Veteran Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM).
Dato’ Nonee Ashirin Dato Mohd Radzi, Executive Chairman of Global Turbine Asia, said, “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 underscore GTA's strategic focus on strengthening the aerospace and defence ecosystem through cross-border commercial cooperation, talent development, research partnerships, and long-term capability building. GTA, a Certified Maintenance Centre for Safran Helicopter Engines, provides a range of engine support solutions including Support By The Hour, AOG and helpline support, technical assistance, spare parts and tooling, global support package, standard exchange, repair and overhaul, and training.
