Hyderabad: GMR Aero Technic (GAT), one of India’s leading aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider has signed an agreement with Boeing Defence India Private Limited (BDIPL) to undertake Phase‑56 Heavy Maintenance Checks for the P‑8I maritime patrol aircraft fleet.
Under the agreement, GMR Aero Technic will perform Phase‑56 heavy maintenance checks on Boeing P‑8I aircraft at its state‑of‑the‑art MRO facility within the GMR Aerospace Park SEZ in Hyderabad. The maintenance will include structural upgrades, comprehensive inspections, painting, and system upgrades, fully aligned with Boeing and defence aviation maintenance standards.
Commenting on the partnership, Ashok Gopinath, President ,GMR Aero Technic, said, “ The partnership marks a significant milestone for GMR Aero Technic and significantly deepens our long‑standing relationship with Boeing, built on successful collaborations including passenger‑to‑freighter conversions. As our first major engagement supporting a frontline defence aircraft platform, it reflects strong confidence in the depth of our technical capabilities and the expertise of our highly qualified and skilled workforce. This agreement reinforces our long‑term vision of building India into a global defence MRO hub and establishing GMR Aero Technic as a trusted provider of complex military aircraft sustainment solutions.”
“Supporting our customer’s mission‑readiness through strong sustainment partnerships is core to Boeing. Our collaboration with GMR Aero Technic on Phase 56 heavy maintenance checks for the P‑8I fleet reflects our continued commitment to building India’s MRO ecosystem,” said Nikhil Joshi, Managing Director, Boeing Defence India.
“This partnership builds on our long‑standing focus on developing indigenous aerospace and defence capability, and reinforces our investment in services, sustainment, manufacturing, R&D, and talent in India. Through collaborations such as this, with industry partners like GMR Aero Technic, we continue to expand and strengthen the country’s MRO base, ensuring a resilient and self‑reliant ecosystem for the future,” he added.
The Boeing P‑8I is a long‑range maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, designed for anti‑submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It is a key asset for the Indian Navy, providing advanced capabilities to secure India’s maritime domain and ensure mission readiness. The Indian Navy currently operates a fleet of 12 P‑8I aircraft, deployed across squadrons at INS Rajali in Tamil Nadu and INS Hansa in Goa.
