RSR Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd. and Alpha Aircraft Systems Announce APU MRO Facility in India

During the ongoing Paris Air Show, RSR Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd. and Alpha Aircraft Systems marked a major development by signing an agreement to foray into the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector. The partnership aims to open an Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) facility in India by the second quarter of 2026 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat – Make in India programme initiated by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

RSR Aviation and Alpha Aircraft Systems will jointly establish an APU overhaul and testing centre, preferably located in a designated aerospace industrial cluster in India.

“It is indeed an honour to sign the agreement at the Paris Air Show. Alpha Aircraft System is a pioneer in APU MRO based in the USA and has agreed to handhold our company in setting up an APU MRO Centre in India under the vision of our Prime Minister’s Make-in-India initiative. RSR staff will be trained by Alpha Aircraft in the USA, along with transfer of technology to build the APU centre in India,” said Mr. Suresh Rahangdale, Director of RSR Aviation Services.

“We always wanted to have a strong base in India. Our agreement with RSR Aviation will help us achieve this goal. I am sure this will be an important milestone for us. Cheers to the team who made it happen,” said Mr. Israel Leppe, Chief Executive Officer, Alpha Aircraft System.

Key Benefits of the Joint Venture to India’s MRO Ecosystem

Strategic Self-Reliance
Currently, a significant portion of India’s APU repair and overhaul needs are addressed through costly and time-consuming overseas services. By setting up a domestic APU MRO centre, RSR Aviation and Alpha Aircraft Systems aim to reduce this dependency, ensuring faster turnaround times and increased fleet availability for both civil and defence operators.

High-Skill Employment & Knowledge Transfer
Alpha Aircraft Systems will provide extensive hands-on training to Indian engineers and technicians at its state-of-the-art facility in Miami, USA, as well as through onsite programs in India. This will build a skilled workforce proficient in advanced APU overhaul technologies and global best practices, generating sustainable, high-value jobs in the aerospace sector.

Cost Efficiency and Foreign Exchange Savings
Localising APU overhaul capabilities will help airlines and defence operators significantly reduce costs associated with logistics, downtime, and overseas repairs — contributing to considerable annual savings in foreign exchange and operational expenses.

Boost to Indigenous Ecosystem
The project is expected to stimulate the domestic aerospace supply chain by creating demand for local spares suppliers, tooling, calibration services, logistics partners, and other ancillary industries. This aligns with India’s vision of a self-reliant aerospace and defence manufacturing base.

Global Standards and Certification
The upcoming facility will adhere to FAA/EASA-approved procedures and quality standards, ensuring that Indian operators receive MRO services equivalent to the highest global benchmarks without sending components abroad.

Support to Defence Preparedness
Reliable and timely APU MRO services are critical for military aircraft readiness. The new facility will enhance India’s defence aviation maintenance capabilities by offering secure, in-country support for mission-critical systems.

Ajeet Yadav

Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.