Airbus Strengthen Collaboration With Thai Industry

AIRBUS deepened industrial collaboration with Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) with an Industrial Collaboration Agreement (ICA) on defence business, and renewal of Commercial Partnership and Commercial Distribution Agreements covering helicopter activities.

The ICA defines the collaborative framework under which Airbus Defence and Space will support TAI to enhance its capabilities in maintaining the C295 transport aircraft. Under this framework, Airbus will provide initial training courses for TAI technicians on maintaining the powerplant, aircraft-related systems, as well as avionics and aircraft instruments.

The company will facilitate ground support equipment to the Thai state-owned maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider, where it can perform inspections of the C295 during its lifecycle.

Simultaneously, Airbus Helicopters and TAI have extended their partnership for three years, through 2028 with new helicopter procurements and post-delivery completion work to the Royal Thai Armed Forces, governmental end-users and parapublic institutions, while the Distribution Agreement is dedicated to the supply of support and services to Thai governmental users.

This means TAI will continue to serve as the Prime Contractor for the sale and distribution of Airbus’ helicopter products, including customisation and completion work for Thai governmental customers, while also being the main service provider in Thailand for the Royal Thai Armed Forces and Royal Thai Police. 

“The signing of the Industrial Cooperation Agreement and renewing of the Commercial Partnership and Distribution agreements with Thai Aviation Industries is a clear sign that Airbus is committed to playing a key role in reinforcing Thailand’s defence ecosystem and industrial growth, by creating specialised and high-value competencies, and employment opportunities locally,” said Airbus Chief Representative for Thailand, Bert Porteman.