Kiwi aeronautical firm Inks multi-million dollar export deal with Royal Thai Air Force
New Zealand’s aeronautical sector is set for a multi-million dollar export boost following the signing of an agreement to supply Thai Aviation Industries Co., Ltd (TAI) who provide aircraft maintenance for the Royal Thai Air Force. A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Thai Aviation Industries Co., Ltd (TAI), a leading maintenance, repair, and operations organisation (MRO) in Thailand and, NZAero, New Zealand’s only commercial aircraft manufacturer, will provide for the exclusive supply of parts as well as collaborating to expand TAI’s MRO capability for the service and repair of Government aircraft in Thailand. The agreement was signed during a seven-day mission led by Rt Hon Prime Minister Christopher Luxon with an accompanying business delegation to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines. The diplomatic visit is designed to strengthen bilateral ties in the region, diversify trade and promote New Zealand’s strong expertise and innovation across key sectors including manufacturing and technology. Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, said: “New Zealand has a serious ambition to lift our relationships with this region in ways that deliver real benefits and that advance our shared security and economic interests. The MOU signed by NZAero in Thailand is a great outcome on all fronts and I would like to congratulate NZAero on its success in South East Asia.” Stephen Burrows, CEO of NZAero, says Thailand’s government has launched plans to create a world-class aviation hub for the Asia-Pacific region. He says Thailand has the second-largest economy in ASEAN and an annual defence budget of over $10bn. “The new multi-year agreement signed between Thai Aviation Industries Co., Ltd and NZAero is set to triple the value of parts and maintenance exports to that market and help strengthen our relationship so that as their existing fleets are phased out, our new utility aircraft are seen as a viable […]