Sabena technics acquires AeroTech Pro to strengthen its position on Airbus' military aircraft
Romain Guillot
 le 05/11/2020 , Maintenance aéronautique
Sabena technics has just acquired the company AeroTech Pro, located in Aix-en-Provence and Istres, in order to strengthen its presence in the defense sector. The large French independent MRO will thus develop its services on Airbus military aircraft and on the A330 MRTT (Phénix) and the A400M (Atlas) programs in particular. AeroTech Pro offers high added value services on military markets in France but also abroad.
"Through this acquisition, we are valuing the know-how of an agile and responsive French SME with real knowledge of military operators' needs. This operation not only marks a new step in our external growth strategy, but also ensures the sustainability of AeroTech Pro's activities. We look forward to working together and benefiting from synergies to better meet our customers' expectations" said Philippe Rochet, CEO of Sabena technics Group.
This announcement comes just less than a month after the visit of the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, at Sabena technics facility in Dinard during which she had notably confirmed the role of the French maintenance company alongside Airbus as part of the pre-order of three A330 MRTT intended for the French Air and Space Force. The 3 aircraft will be delivered in a commercial configuration and then converted for their specific missions (2 units to be delivered before the end of the year, the third in 2022).
Sabena technics has been carrying out numerous MRO works on various types of aircraft operated by the French Armed Forces (maintenance, modifications, modernization , etc.) for more than 50 years.
"Thanks to the recognized technical expertise of AeroTech Pro on A400M and A330 MRTT, Sabena technics will develop its service offering and strengthen its position on these two Airbus military aircraft. This makes us the only private industrial company with infrastructures and human resources in France able to ensure their industrial support. Moreover, we can accompany the manufacturer in its development by projecting technical teams on the operation and maintenance sites as close as possible to the operators, both in France and abroad" added Philippe Rochet.
"We were looking to associate AeroTech Pro with a leader of the MRO sector. With Sabena technics we found the best possible solution as we share the same values of quality, responsiveness and loyalty, all for the satisfaction of our customers. We are convinced that together we will be able to provide them, in France and internationally, with complete and competitive solutions guaranteeing the best fleet availability", announced Jean Bernard Garcia and Philippe Galland, shareholders and managers of AeroTech Pro.
Note that AeroTech Pro has access to the Mercure hangar (10,000 m²) at Istres to perform airframe maintenance operations on their own, the French Air and Space Force multi-role refueling aircraft fleet being based at the adjacent BA 125 air base. For its part, Sabena technics has already been EMAR 145 (European Military Aviation Requirements) approved by the DSAé (State Aeronautical Safety Department) since last year to be able to carry out heavy maintenance checks on the A330 MRTT at its Nîmes and Bordeaux facilities.
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