AIROD Sdn Bhd, a leading Malaysian military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider and a subsidiary of National Aerospace and Defence Industries Sdn Bhd (NADI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus Defence and Space at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2026 Exhibition to strengthen Malaysia’s capabilities in maintaining the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fleet of four Airbus A400M military transport aircraft.
The mandate reflects continued confidence by the Malaysian Government and RMAF in AIROD’s proven capabilities while ensuring the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and operational readiness.
The signing was witnessed by the Honourable Minister of Defence Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin, signifying the national importance of enhancing Malaysia’s defence aerospace capabilities.
As the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the A400M aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space will play a key role in supporting capability development through the transfer of technical expertise, standards and best practices, providing a structured pathway to strengthen in-country MRO capabilities for the RMAF fleet.
Under the MoU, both parties will explore initiatives including:
- Development of A400M technical training programmes
- Out-of-scheme aircraft structural repair
- Expansion of specialised MRO services, including Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Level 3 and aircraft painting
- Positioning AIROD as a qualified local industrial partner and Airbus-approved supplier
As part of this collaboration, AIROD is expected to support the servicing of the RMAF’s A400M fleet, including aircraft painting activities in collaboration with Satys Aerospace, a Tier 1 Airbus partner with extensive aircraft painting experience at Airbus Assembly Plants for both civil and military programmes.
This collaboration will introduce advanced aircraft painting technologies, top-tier materials and global best practices, further enhancing AIROD’s technical capabilities in line with international aerospace standards.
More broadly, the collaboration reflects Malaysia’s strategic direction to enhance its defence industrial base through local capability development, technology transfer and greater self-reliance, supported by frameworks such as the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) and National Defence Industry Policy (NDIP). It also reinforces AIROD’s role in supporting Malaysia’s ambition to position itself as a credible regional hub for military aircraft maintenance.
Dato’ Edron Hayata bin Ahmad, Group President of NADI, said:
“This partnership with Airbus Defence and Space marks an important step in strengthening Malaysia’s defence aerospace ecosystem. By advancing local MRO capabilities for the A400M platform, we are supporting the operational readiness of the RMAF while positioning Malaysia as a credible regional hub for military aircraft maintenance.
AIROD remains committed to driving technology transfer, developing highly skilled local talent, and supporting the nation’s Industrial Collaboration Programme as we continue to elevate Malaysia’s aerospace industry to global standards.”
