KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia should focus on strengthening a few foundational areas over the next five years to become a stronger aerospace hub by 2030 and remain competitive in the regional aerospace landscape.
Global Turbine Asia Sdn Bhd (GTA) executive chairman Datuk Nonee Ashirin Mohd Radzi said Malaysia is well-positioned to continue developing strengths in engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and regional commercial aviation support services, where there is already established capability and demand.
“Firstly, a clearer sense of strategic specialisation will be important. This allows Malaysia to complement rather than directly replicate the roles of neighbouring hubs,” Nonee Ashirin told SunBiz.
Secondly, a continued development of aerospace infrastructure and ecosystems will be key.
“Expanding and upgrading hubs such as Subang and aerospace zones like Kulim Aeropolis can help improve efficiency, attract investment and support more advanced aerospace activities,” she said.
“Thirdly, maintaining a stable and predictable policy environment will remain important for long-term planning by global OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and industry players, particularly in a sector that relies on long investment cycles and technical certification.
“Overall, Malaysia’s competitiveness will depend on strengthening its existing advantages and ensuring consistent execution across these areas,“ said Nonee Ashirin, who is also the president of the Coalition of Defence Industry (Malaysia).
She noted that from an industry perspective, particularly in engine MRO where GTA operates, Malaysia’s strength lies in its existing technical capabilities and cost competitiveness within the region.
Touching on Asean, Nonee Ashirin said the region’s growing aviation market presents opportunities for countries to develop complementary aerospace capabilities, and Malaysia is well-positioned to contribute in specific areas.
“Malaysia has established strengths in engine MRO and aircraft maintenance services, supported by a mature aerospace ecosystem that includes advanced engine repair and overhaul capabilities, component maintenance, precision engineering, avionics support, composite repair, testing and certification facilities, as well as a growing pool of highly skilled aerospace talent.
“These capabilities are further strengthened by established aerospace parks, industry-led training centres and collaborations between global OEMs, local companies, universities and technical institutions, she said.
In parallel, Nonee Ashirin said, there is growing development in defence-related aerospace capabilities, particularly through collaborations with global OEMs and local industry players, which contribute to broader system support, maintenance, repair, upgrade and sustainment capabilities for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft platforms.
“Within this context, Malaysia’s role can be seen as contributing to higher-value maintenance, engineering, digital diagnostics, lifecycle management and sustainment services, complementing the strengths of neighbouring Asean countries while supporting regional supply chain resilience and operational readiness.
“This collaborative regional approach helps strengthen the overall resilience, competitiveness and long-term sustainability of the Asean aerospace ecosystem,“ Nonee Ashirin said.
Pointing to the importance for local companies to move up the value chain instead of staying mainly as service providers, she said it is increasingly important for local companies to gradually move up the value chain in order to remain competitive and sustainable in the long term.
Nonee Ashirin said while service-based activities will continue to play an important role, the greater opportunity lies in expanding into higher-value areas such as engineering support, systems integration, predictive maintenance, and data-driven solutions.
“These areas are less exposed to pure cost competition and offer more stable, long-term value creation,“ she added.
Partnerships linked to Airbus Defence and Space and similar OEMs provide an important platform for this progression, as they enable technology transfer, capability development, and exposure to advanced aerospace systems, Nonee Ashirin said.
“For GTA, collaborations. such as that with Airbus Defence and Space, provide a direct pathway to deepen technical capabilities, particularly in engineering services and advanced maintenance systems, beyond traditional MRO activities.
“Over time, this shift allows Malaysian companies to move from being subcontractors to becoming trusted partners within global aerospace supply chains, with stronger technical depth and greater resilience.”
With global supply chains changing rapidly due to geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties, Nonee Ashirin said that in a more complex global environment, reliability, transparency, and resilience are becoming increasingly important in aerospace supply chains.
“For MRO players like GTA, maintaining global certification standards, audit readiness, and operational consistency is critical to building long-term trust with OEMs and defence clients. Malaysia can strengthen its position by continuing to develop well-integrated aerospace ecosystems with strong operational standards across key hubs such as Subang, Penang, and Johor,“ she added.
Nonee Ashirin said that enhancing digitalisation, traceabilit and process transparency within MRO operations will also help build greater confidence among OEMs and global partners, particularly in terms of quality assurance and audit readiness.
“At the policy level, maintaining clarity, consistency, and alignment with international aerospace and trade standards will remain important in supporting long-term partnerships. Malaysia also has the opportunity to play a constructive role within the broader Asean aerospace ecosystem, contributing to a more diversified and resilient regional supply chain network,“ she said.
Looking ahead to 2030, Nonee Ashirin said GTA is looking to strengthen its position as a trusted and established aerospace service provider, with strong long-term partnerships with OEMs, customers, and regional stakeholders.
This includes continued growth in technical capabilities, operational excellence, and increased adoption of digital and data-driven maintenance solutions that support evolving industry needs.
“For Malaysia, we are looking at achieving a more developed and diversified aerospace ecosystem, with stronger participation in higher-value activities such as engine MRO, engineering services, and aerospace systems support.
“It would also include a growing base of local companies capable of participating more meaningfully in regional and global supply chains.
“Overall, the long-term aspiration is for Malaysia to be recognised as a reliable, competitive, and well-integrated aerospace hub within Asean, contributing sustainably to the global aerospace industry by 2030,“ Nonee Ashirin said.